Judith's pov. Amihan was at my door at five in the morning; her knocking startled me out of sleep. She didn't even wait for me to answer; when she opened the door and saw me scrambling out of bed, she gave me a disgruntled expression. "Good morning sleepyhead," she said, approaching my bedside. "Good morning Bes," I managed to respond, "what time is it? Why wake me up so early in the morning" I let out a yawn.She pulled back the curtain and threw open the window, allowing the chill to fill the room before I could say anything more."It's so cooled," I said, as I tried to hide under my blanket. "It's almost six in the morning girl and you have a flight to catch,""Oh my God," I exclaimed as I tried to quickly get out of bed. "Don't worry girl, just go freshen up and leave the rest to me, I've taken care of breakfast already and packed some in your lunch box""It's a good thing I was able to pack my bags yesterday before going to bed because I would have most likely missed my fli
Amihan's pov. Things seemed to have sort of progressed between Maxwell and me in the past weeks. He never seized the opportunity to flirt with me or remind me of how much he liked me and wanted me in his life whenever we spoke. The more we spoke, the more I felt drawn to him. While getting ready to head over to his apartment that morning, I grinned warmly as I brushed my hair. I went straight home after dropping Judith off at the airport and decided to spend that Monday with Maxwell rather than spending the night at his residence since I had less work to do at the office. He was glad when I called him to let him know my plan. He had even gone as far as asking me not to have breakfast since he would be preparing breakfast for both of us. I couldn't help but wonder what he would be preparing. My gaze shifted from the mirror to my phone when Karl's text came in. (Amihan. Can we meet and talk? It's better related,) I scoffed and dropped my phone bothering to reply. All I wanted
Maxwell's povI decided to change the subject since I did not want to talk too much about my family. I answered her questions swiftly to avoid raising any suspicions. "Is that all you want to know?" I asked when she stopped talking and she nodded. "Don't you have any questions to ask me about myself?" She raised a brow and I smiled. "There is none I can think of," I said and giggled at her surprised look. "You barely know me, so how is that even possible?" She grunted and I grinned broadly."I know you more than you think," I said and Amihan gave me a stern look. "I'd love to know all you know about me," She said with a frown. "Amihan Jude, A beautiful tall elegant wine of class," I teased and she frowned. "Those are random facts anyone can know," She sighed, and we both laughed. If only she knew how well I knew her. I knew every detail there was to know about the lady my mother wanted to be my wife. I wouldn't be so foolish as to provide every piece of information I know abo
Amihan's pov. “kiss me till I become hard,” he said softly and for some weird reason I couldn't fathom, my heart skipped a beat as I involuntarily brought out my tongue to wet my lips. "With all pleasure," I whispered to his ears, and he swallowed hard. I felt our t hearts raced as we stared into each other's eyes. I could tell he was curious to know if I was going to kiss him or take the shot that he held out for me. My lips were already longing for his and I didn't mind sharing a kiss with him. The last time I had a passionate kiss was with Karl Rodriguez and since then I had been too busy to satisfy my craving emotions. Even if I did want us to make love today, since we were yet to know each other and I wouldn't want him to think I was too cheap, I had planned to go far enough with him from the moment I saw his bare chest, I was ready to be nasty around him because I desired him that much now. I've missed being kissed and caressed by a man and I longed the touch of not just
Dalisay's pov. Every day that went by brought with it another pregnancy symptom. I had mixed emotions at the idea of getting pregnant, but I was ecstatic to watch my body adapt to becoming a mother. I wasn't sure how to respond. While the child's paternity bothered me, a part of me was relieved that Karl and I could finally satisfy our lifelong dream. Karl has been overly occupied attempting to resolve Anwil's condition. To see if we can complete more transactions before the bankruptcy becomes too apparent to the public, he stays up late at night and gets out of the house as early as possible to meet with important clients. The news of us having a child soon would brighten his mood and that for me was a good sign for Anwil. Given that we would not wish to leave Anwil's heir with worthless company, our unborn child will provide us with the necessary vigor to fight for Anwil. I had gotten up early that morning to prepare our breakfast and call my mother over. It would be best if I
Judith POVUpon waking up that morning, I was overwhelmed with emotions, unsure of how to respond to the reality that I would finally be meeting my father and being accepted into a family I had never met before. The thought of being the daughter of my biological father is both terrifying and magnificent. The previous day, my father had called to tell me that his driver would arrive at the house by eight in the morning to take me. He had turned down every offer from me to commute alone, stating that it would ease his anxieties to know that his driver was taking me home in a grande style.I was so anxious about the whole event and how it would go that I was unable to get enough sleep. Until four this morning, I was able to get a longer stretch of sleep. The gentle sun ray that escaped the curtain to my face reminded me that it was day already and I had things to do. It was fifteen minutes before seven when I checked my phone and lay down, reluctant to get out of bed. I let out a big ex
Amihan's pov.My phone rang, interrupting my sleep, as I groggily groped for it. My day at work was hectic, and as I was about to turn in for the night after finishing up with some paperwork, Judith called. Due to the time difference, we had been communicating more via text rather than phone calls because I was either too busy during the day or fatigued when she got the chance to call."Hey bes, Good evening," I greeted as I got up to wash my face in the bathroom. My eyes were heavy with sleep. We had not spoken in days, so I knew our chat would be lengthy because we both had a lot to talk about.Judith answered, "First of all, it's morning over here; you would have just said hi," to which we both chuckled."I apologize for waking you up from your beauty sleep," She said apologetically and I smiled. "It's fine. I've missed hearing your voice so I won't penalize you," I teased as she giggled. Ever since my last visit to Maxwell, I have been somewhat troubled and upset about how I re
Judith's POV."I was afraid you'd lost your way in the mansion being you ain't used to such, dear cousin," Charlotte said to ridicule me the moment she saw me approaching.The last thing was to give Charlotte the joy of discrediting me, not after what Amihan had said. Charlotte was nasty, and I knew that giving in to her demands would be the worst thing I could do. It was important to fix the way she behaved now before it was too late.."I don't easily forget things and that's why I've always succeeded in all I do," I answered with a conceited smile that caused her to scowl."She's just like her mother," Dad complimented and I smiled. "Beautiful vibrant Judith of blessed memory, You are your mother's replica," Lithina said and held my hands."Now that we have my much-anticipated cousin of mine, and your lawyer is also present here, what's stopping us from having the long overdue conversation about the company's allocation, Dear Uncle," Charlotte said With a strange, unauthentic smi
Three years later, Amihan's Pov, Three years had passed, and everything had changed. I stood at the window, looking out at the world below, and a wave of mixed emotions washed over me. Nostalgia, regret, wistfulness, pride, hope. It was a complex stew of feelings, impossible to separate or label. I closed my eyes, letting the memories wash over me like a summer rain.As I thought about the journey that had brought me here, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. It had been a long road, full of twists and turns, but I was finally where I wanted to be. The funeral for Dalisay was a somber but beautiful affair, a fitting tribute to a life well-lived. As she was laid to rest, it felt like her soul was finally at peace.In the weeks and months that followed, Karl and Adams threw themselves into raising Bella. They loved her fiercely, determined to give her everything they could. And as she grew, she began to resemble her mother more and more, both in looks and in spirit. With little Bella by
Amihan's POV, I tried to sit up, but the pain in my head and stomach was excruciating. I could feel the grogginess of sleep slowly fading away, and I became aware of my surroundings. It was a hospital room, and the memory of the shooting came flooding back. "Mom," I said weakly, my voice hoarse from disuse. "Where is Dalisay?""Dalisay's getting the best care possible, honey," my mom said, her voice gentle and soothing. But even as she spoke, I couldn't help but sob. I felt so guilty, knowing that Dalisay had risked her life to save me."She's going to be okay," my mom said, rubbing my back comfortingly. "And you're going to be okay too. We're all going to get through this together."I wanted to believe her, but my emotions were still too raw. I couldn't stop crying. My gaze shifted to the corner of the room, and I saw Judith standing next to my father. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she looked like she had been crying. I felt a surge of anger well up inside of me."What is sh
Two weeks later, Judith's POV, The last two weeks had been a blur of pain and anguish. My best friend, Amihan, lay comatose in the hospital, clinging to life by a thread same as Dalisay. I blamed myself for everything that had happened. It was my selfish desire for Maxwell that had caused all of this. I had been so jealous of Amihan's relationship with him, that I had pushed her to move into the mansion, even though I knew it was dangerous. And now she was fighting for her life, while I was left with nothing but regret and guilt."Judith, you look exhausted," Amihan's mother said, her face filled with concern. "Why don't you go home and get some rest? You've been here at the hospital for days now."As soon as they had received news of Amihan's incident, her Foster parents had flown down from New York, arriving the next day. They had been at the hospital ever since, taking turns to stay with Amihan. She was right. I hadn't slept in days, and I was running on empty. But I didn't want
Karl's POV,"We have to be fast with whatever we have to do, because Chloe or Susan whichever you want to call her, is a crazy woman and wouldn't hesitate to do anything, her words shouldn't be taken lightly," I said to them who had been listening to me without interruption with my eyes wide open, I swallowed hard in an attempt to quell my panic that had gotten a grip of my heart,I was scared as I spoke which made my voice shake, I was scared if revealing the truth about my status with Chloe, the fear of making Luciana and Dalisay find out that I had been lying to them about my first wife made me pick my words with care."So, what are we going to do now? Because as long as I'm concerned, everyone of you here are suspect, and I'm going to get you all arrested." Maxwell responded unflinchingly, without any iota of panic in him, his expression was grimly as he spoke making everyone shift uneasily on their spot, except Luciana who had been sitting quietly with her fingers resting on her
Dalisay's POV,"Then who did?" he demanded, slamming his hand down on the desk, sending the files scattered across its surface into disarray. His eyes blazed with anger, and his frustration was palpable. "Who was the last person to see her? I need answers, and I need them now!"As I rolled my eyes in thought, a sudden realization hit me. It dawned on me that my mother could be behind Amihan's disappearance. My eyes widened in horror, and I bit my lip, trying to keep my composure. I knew that if I let my emotions get the best of me, this man would see through my facade. "Please calm down, we'll get to the bottom of...""I can't calm down!" he shouted, cutting me off in mid-sentence. His breathing was labored, and his eyes flashed with anger. The look on his face was terrifying, and I felt my heart skip a beat. He looked like a man possessed, and I knew that I had to tread carefully. Fear gripped me as I tried to find the right words to say. I knew that I had to diffuse the situation,
Maxwell's POV,My heart skipped a beat as I saw Amihan's name flash across my phone's screen. I hurriedly picked up the call, but the noise of the airport around me made it difficult to hear what she was saying. She sounded upset, her voice urgent and panicked. I tried to make out what she was saying, but it was impossible. I needed to find a quiet place to take the call.I began to look around for a secluded spot, but the airport was crowded and bustling with activity. Everywhere I looked, people were rushing around, their voices blending together into a cacophony of sound. I had been planning to move to the United Kingdom and start over, but Amihan's call had given me pause. "Babe," I said, my voice quivering as I answered the phone. "I'm sorry. Are you there?""I'm here," she said, her voice trembling. "Please...help me." And then, the line went dead.My heart sank, and I felt a wave of panic wash over me. What had happened? What could she need help with? I tried to call her back
Amihan's POV, "Bella, please wait!" I heard Adam's voice calling after me as I ran from the mansion, but I ignored him. I didn't want to talk to anyone, I just wanted to be alone. "Leave me alone!" I shouted, not even bothering to turn around. I just kept running, my feet carrying me further and further away from the pain and the betrayal.My heart thumped as I hurried away from the mansion, its weight pressing against my chest as if to crush me. Each step I took reverberated in my head, a pulsing reminder of the hurt that lay ahead. As memories of the betrayal that followed my misplaced trust flooded back, they threatened to drown me in despair. The images of the accident that had almost claimed my life ten years ago flashed before my eyes, a maelstrom of chaos and pain. I threw myself into the car, slamming the door shut as if to keep out the demons that pursued me. I could barely breathe, my chest rising and falling in rapid, panicked breaths. I knew I had to get away, to put
Karl's POV,"Where do you think you're going, sneaking off like that?" Luciana's voice rang out behind me, causing me to freeze in my tracks. She was sitting comfortably, cigarette in hand, a smirk on her lips. I felt like a deer caught in headlights, and I knew I had to think of something quickly."You're... here," I managed to stammer out, trying to regain my composure and collect my thoughts."I was just... I was just getting some fresh air," I stammered, my voice trembling with nerves. "Of course I'm here," she replied, a mocking smile playing on her lips. Her gaze was fixed intently on me, as if she were sizing me up, her eyes boring into mine. "I've always been here, and my eyes have always been on you."I felt myself flush under her gaze, feeling like a bug under a microscope. I knew I had to say something, anything, to break the silence that was hanging heavy in the air. But I couldn't think of a single thing to say."You have something urgent to take care of?" she asked, rais
Judith's POV,Despite the shame and pain coursing through my body, I climbed into my car and slammed the door shut. I had no destination in mind, I just wanted to get away. As I sat there, I realized that my hands were shaking and that my entire body was trembling.In a desperate attempt to relieve the pressure building within me, I let out a primal scream. But it did nothing to soothe the turmoil inside me. At that moment, I realized that Maxwell's mother was to blame for much of the mess I was in. She had played a part in orchestrating the events that had led to this moment, and she needed to take responsibility for her actions.The more I thought about it, the more I became convinced that the only way out of this situation was to confront her directly.With shaking hands, I rummaged through my bag for my phone. As soon as I found it, I dialed Maxwell's mother's number. The phone rang and rang, and just when I was about to give up hope, she answered. Her voice was cold and uninvitin