Judith's Pov. I reluctantly got off my bed as Annabel knocked at the door. I knew she was worried about how last night had gone with Jake and I. Even when I made a concerted effort to maintain a straight face to hide how pained I was over my breakup with jake, Annabel always had a way of reading my emotions no matter how hard I attempted. "Hey, sleepy head! She called out to me as I approached the door, "Open the door!" I gave a grumpy yawn and replied, "You don't have to wake me up this early, Bella." "Early? I guessed you had a lot to drink last night and had slept so deep. It's almost Eight A.M," My eyes widened in shock. How would I meet up work? The general staff meeting was scheduled for that morning by the CEO. That month, I had skipped three meetings in a row. The last time was because I was unwell, but the first two instances were because my boss had allowed me to take care of an important client. Although my boss was the carefree type who didn't mind if you miss
Amihan's pov. Judith approached the car with a gloomy expression on her face. She must have had a hectic day because she had broken up with Jake. I jokingly said, "You look so exhausted like the company's burden was placed on your shoulder," and she gave me a feeble smile in return. "Seriously, I'm worn out. She exclaimed angrily, "I'm exhausted!""What happened? Did your boss query you?""No. I couldn't concentrate at work today, Jake's unending calls and text messages made me sick...."As she talked, I felt sorry for her since I had never seen Judith behave so moodily about anything."As if that wasn't enough, the new employee was deliberately irritating me," she said, and I arched an eyebrow."Your boss hired a new employee? I thought he had done that a month ago and according to what he said the last time I visited, there was no vacancy for a new intake," Judith rolled her eyes as she shook her head. "so we all believed not until this morning, he introduced an annoying g
Maxwell's pov I had a restless first day at work because I couldn't take my eyes off Judith. The connection I felt towards her was something electrifying and I hoped I wasn't falling for her. Maybe I felt such attraction towards her because of the mission I was to accomplish through her. As soon as I got to my hotel room, I remembered a blockbuster movie that starred most of my favorite actors would be released that evening, and since there was nothing else to keep my mind occupied, I decided to go see the movie. The receptionist informed me that there was a cinema a few blocks away from the hotel. After having my dinner, I hurriedly entered my car since I was a few minutes late for the supposed time the movie would be shown. I had booked a ticket reservation online to avoid it being sold out before my arrival. The moment I pulled my car into the cinema parking lot, I picked up my phone to check for my online ticket. I was engrossed with my phone and didn't notice the car revers
Judith's pov. I had never looked forward to closing time as much as I did on this specific day. I couldn't wait to leave the new employee's obnoxious stare coupled with Jake's unending calls and messages that distracted my mind. The moment I heard the closing alarm, I quickly grabbed my bag and made my way to the parking lot. I felt as though I had been deprived of air since morning and was able to breathe freely as soon as I stepped outside. When I got closer to the car, I was too tired to grin back at Annabel who wore a warm smile. I managed to keep up a conversation with Annabel as we drove home. Today was the most tense I've ever felt from a stranger, and I couldn't control my anger toward Maxwell as I narrated all that had transpired between us at work to Annabel. I was annoyed that Annabel had chosen to side with a stranger, but I was too exhausted to argue with her, even though I knew there was truth in what she had stated in support of Maxwell. "How about we go to th
Karl's Pov. Since our last hangout, Amihan has been avoiding my calls. The memories of my intimate moment with her the other night clouded my mind, and I was unable to stop them. Perhaps my wife had never made me feel such passion over our lovemaking, and that's why I was drawn to her. I sighed in frustration as I called Her phone again and got no answer. Did I make a mistake introducing her to Dalisay? Could it be that she had a change of heart about me after meeting Dalisay? I was perplexed as to why such an influential lady would follow me about my bachelor's eve and flirt with me like a regular person. Who would have guessed that Amihan Jude, the heir to the Retribution corporation, was the lady I had both a one-night stand and a romantic night with? She had me enamored. I had feelings for her. My feelings for her went beyond a fleeting attraction or the benefit of her affluent background. It was just like the attraction I had felt for Sarah when we were first marri
Maxwell's Pov. I smiled as I peeped at Judith from the second floor. She had just arrived at work and had a beautiful welcoming smile as she greeted the staff which made me wonder why she was so hostile toward me when she seemed friendly. Perhaps, she was that way towards me because I was a newbie and the others were familiar faces. Judith wouldn't mind jeopardizing my chances with Amihan, so I had deliberately hidden myself the other night in the cinema to avoid seeing both of them.Her joyful expression lit up as I saw her get into the elevator. That morning, she exuded energy and was prepared for work. She promptly scowled when she noticed me coming toward her as soon as the elevator door clicked open."Good morning, Miss Judith," I said with great enthusiasm, and she scowled.She spoke sternly, "Not today again, Maxwell," and I grinned. "Oh, you know my name?" I teased her and watched as she sighed in frustration. "When you can't quit being a bother," she exclaimed. "Who w
Judith's pov. I was too tired and overslept after my hangout last night. As I entered the company's building, I hoped in silence that the CEO hadn't noticed that I wasn't at the office yet. Recalling the events of the previous night, I did my best to push the memory of how furious I felt towards Maxwell from my mind so as not to ruin my morning. However, I couldn't help but think on how he had come out of the bloom to disrupt my movie date.I beamed and waved at the familiar faces of our staffs as i was met with friendly faces, saying their hellos and hi and I replied with a beautiful welcoming smile all over my face. I stepped into the elevator and punched the code to get to the floor where my office was. The elevator door clicked open, and I scowled as Maxwell walked toward me with a cheeky smirk on his face. Why was he persisting in invading my space? I questioned inwardly as he got closer to me, "Good morning, Miss Judith," He said with great enthusiasm, and I Scowled. I wa
Amihan's POV. After freshening up and getting ready for bed, i decided to give my mother a call just to hear from her. I would have preferred to hear from both my parents, but since my mom had been down lately, it was my mother i really wanted to speak to. “How are you doing mom?” i asked after she received the call. "I'm better darling, thanks for last night motivation, " she said. I could tell she was happy to hear from me even though her voice was still down, "How are you my love," She inquired, “I’m alright. I miss you guys so much," I said,and sat on my bed. “We missed you more darling. Have you call your father today?” She asked. “No. It was you I wanted to talk to,” I said and she took a deep breathe. “What’s wrong mom?” i asked with concern. She answered happily, "Nothing, darling. Your dad was really proud of how you built the Philippine branch so quickly. The monthly report of your performance was sent last night after we hung up." I grinned in response.
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