Amihan's POV, It was a long, sleepless night. The minutes ticked by slowly, seeming to stretch on for an eternity. I tossed and turned, my mind racing with thoughts of the previous day's events. I kept checking my phone, hoping for a message or call from Judith, but nothing came. The darkness of the night seemed endless, and I longed for the relief of morning. Finally, at three in the morning, I drifted off into a fitful sleep. But it was short-lived, as the shrill ringing of my alarm jolted me awake at five-thirty. I felt exhausted, my body heavy with fatigue which was the least of my concern. My sleep had been fitful and short, and I felt like I could have slept for hours more. However, the knowledge that I had received no response from my friend throughout the night gave me the strength to push myself out of bed. I sat up slowly, my head pounding as if someone were driving a nail into my skull. I leaned back against the headboard, supporting my head with my hand as I closed my ey
Judith's POV, As I heard Amihan's voice outside my door, a feeling of resentment welled up inside of me. A feeling I had never experienced with her before. Even though I had managed to respond to her to get her off my back that morning, I hated the fact that she was my rival. It seemed to me that Amihan always had it easy, while I always had to fight tooth and nail for everything I wanted. Her relationships ended on her terms, while mine always seemed to end in heartbreak. I felt like she got to coast through life, while I was stuck trudging through the mud. I was so tired of always being the one who had to work so hard, while she just seemed to float along, untouched by the struggles of life. It was like she was living in a different world, one where everything was handed to her on a silver platter. And it wasn't fair.The thought of letting Maxwell get away with toying with my emotions filled me with a sense of helpless rage. I couldn't bear the thought of facing my coworkers looki
Maxwell's POV, The slap echoed through the air, the sound ricocheting off the walls and reverberating in my ear. I felt the sting on my cheek, a burning sensation that quickly turned to a dull ache. I looked up at her, my mouth agape in shock and disbelief. Some of our coworkers who had seen what happened were whispering and pointing, and I felt the blood rush to my face in embarrassment. I had never been hit before, not even by my parents as a child. But as I looked at her, I knew I was to blame for her actions. I had hurt her, and now I had to try to make it right.I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could I possibly say to make this better? How could I explain what had happened, when I barely understood it myself? I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart and clear my head, "I'm so sorry," I finally managed to say, my voice barely a whisper, "I never meant to hurt you." I looked at her, pleading with my eyes for forgiveness. But her expression rem
Judith's POV, The fact that Maxwell didn't deny his love for Amihan left me feeling deeply betrayed. It seemed that he had intentionally used me as a means to an end - to get his family business back on track. The thought that I had been used in such a cold and calculating way left me feeling deeply hurt and angry. I was left wondering how I could have been so blind to his true intentions.As I reflected on the situation, I realized that there had been several red flags that I had ignored. There had been subtle signs that something was not quite right, but I had been too blinded by my desires to see them. Even with how I threatened to bring down his family company, Maxwell seemed unfazed. It was as if he didn't care about the consequences of my actions or the potential damage to his reputation and legacy. It was a startling realization, and it made me question everything I thought I knew about him.I had always assumed that he was driven by a desire for power and success, but thi
Maxwell's POV, I was startled the moment I opened the door to find Judith standing on my doorstep, How did she even know my apartment? I have never invited her over. It was obvious she had secretly followed Amihan but this was the least of my worries right now. "What are you doing here?" I asked, already anticipating the answer to be something I wouldn't want to hear."We need to talk," she replied, the tremble in her voice betraying her distress. I felt a knot forming in my stomach. "Can this wait until tomorrow? Amihan is here," I whispered, hoping to delay the inevitable. But my request only seemed to aggravate her further."No, it can't wait," she said emphatically, her voice rising in volume. "This is about you putting Amihan above me, about you protecting her and leaving me in the dust. I deserve better than that." She said furiously. before I could reply, she continued, her tone laced with anger and hurt."I'm tired of being second best, of being left out in the cold. It
Amihan's POV, As I luxuriated in the warm water of the bath, I could hear muffled voices coming from the front door. I strained to make out the words, but they were too indistinct to understand. But as the conversation continued, I could tell by the tone that it was an argument. I wondered who Maxwell was talking to, and what they were arguing about. The thought that I might be interrupting a private conversation crossed my mind, but the possibility that someone was in distress pushed that thought aside. My mind was reeling as I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way towards the front door where Maxwell was expecting to see his Neighbour or a stranger, To my astonishment, it was none other than my best friend, Judith. My brain raced to make sense of the situation, but I was at a loss. Had something happened to her? How did she know Maxwell's place? Were the whispers I heard the sound of an argument, or perhaps it was just the water from the shower echoing in the bathroom? Ev
Judith's POV.As I got into my car, I couldn't hold back the tears that welled up in my eyes. I felt like a fool like I had put on a facade just to impress Maxwell and Amihan. As I noticed Amihan approaching, I started the car and sped away, not knowing where I was headed, just trying to outrun the pain that was consuming me. It was like a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from. I had no idea where I was going, I just knew I had to get away from them.My mind was stuck in a loop, replaying images of them over and over again. I felt like I was being taunted by my thoughts as if they were trying to tell me that I was the only one who wasn't happy. I could see them smiling and laughing together, while I was alone in the shadows, feeling like an outcast. It was as if the world was conspiring against me, trying to make me feel even more isolated and alone. I felt like a third wheel, an outsider looking in on a life I would never be a part of. Maybe it was for the best to move on from Max
Dalisay's POV.Days had passed since my last meeting with Adams, but I couldn't seem to stop thinking about what had transpired. The event was surreal and disturbing, but what confused me more was his change in demeanor. It was as if he had become a different person overnight, and I was left wondering if I had truly understood who he was in the first place. The whole experience had left me feeling unsettled and unsure of what to think.My thoughts were racing with questions about his transformation, and I was unable to make sense of it all. While I was happy that he had seemingly changed for the better, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that came with it. There was a part of me that wanted to know how this change had occurred, and why it had happened so suddenly. I felt like there was a missing piece of the puzzle, and I was determined to find it. My thoughts were so consuming that I didn't hear the door open, and I was startled when I realized Karl was standing in front of me I
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