The soaked crimson-red dressing that used to be white greeted Oliver's sight and it made him even more furious.Ruella didn't like the words she heard from him.Though she knew why he was so angry, she still couldn't let him have that sort of idea in his mind.If there's someone who needs to stop her father's madness, it should be her and not him! Her father won't hesitate to take him down and her sacrifice would turn to nothing in the end. She wouldn't allow it! Not when she had already planned it all in mind!"I can't let you do that!" She successfully took his attention by saying so.In a snap, Oliver felt the veins in his forehead protruding. It was nearly exploding due to his immense anger but his hands remained cautious while tending her wound. "Of course," he scoffed mockingly. "You won't let me destroy your dearest father. He would always remain your priority over someone else, right? Neither I nor our daughter could steal that spot from him..."Ruella began to grimace in pai
While Oliver was focused on listening to Ruella's words, his jaws slowly clenched, and his expression darkened.By the time she was done talking, he had straightened up, stepped back, and stared at her grimly before he turned around and stormed out of the cabin without saying a single word. He seemed to have been so angry that he didn't even cast a final glance at her before leaving.Ruella felt something snap inside her thus she closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.No matter how much her heart was aching, it had nothing to do with him. She has to deal with it to keep him away from her father's sinister thoughts until the end. He had used him once to control her and she's not allowing it to happen again!Hangga't pinapakita niya na may halaga pa sa kanya si Oliver, her father would always look for every opportunity to toy and keep her within control and hindi niya alam kung ano pa ang mga maaaring sumunod na maglalaro sa isipan nito. This time, she wanted to take a few steps ahead
It was as if Ruella was brought back to the time when she was still a little girl.Whenever she closed her little eyes, she felt someone hovering above her and when she opened her eyes, her mother's beautiful face would always greet her sight. The memory never faded throughout those years.Louella would smile down at her, kiss her forehead, and urge her to sleep. Sometimes, she would read her bedtime stories or sing her a lullaby until she felt drowsy.Her mother had loved and protected her back then and she yearned for nothing not even her father's love and presence. Unlike most children, desiring both, Ruella didn't wish for more.Tears welled up in Ruella's eyes as she mumbled in a daze. "I miss you so much, Mom..."Arianna, who was currently standing beside her gasped in surprise. Her eyes drifted from her cousin to the woman hovering above Ruella. She opened her mouth to speak but swallowed it back, fearing that she might offend her cousin. It seems to her that she mistook the wo
Oliver's mind was in a mess but he didn't forget to call his best friend, Emman to check on the company. He wanted to know if Don Antonio did something suspicious behind his back since he probably knew Ruella was with him by now. "May nangyari ba habang wala ako?" He immediately asked."Aside from the fact that I was taking over your piled work, wala naman," Emman responded dramatically. However, makalipas ang ilang segundo, nagsimula na ito mag-usisa. "Do you expect something to happen? What was it?" And he even demanded. "Tell me!"Oliver never meant to drag his buddy into his mess but he felt like he had to share it with him even for once. Just in case Ruella's father might do something sneaky. It was best if Emman knew what was coming so he could prepare at least."Listen to me..." He then began.Ipinaliwanag ni Oliver ang pwedeng mangyari at matapos ang ilang minutong pag-uusap, nakabuo ang dalawa ng counterattack plan.Emman was about to drop the call when someone barged in, sc
Makalipas ang sumunod na araw, Ruella woke up feeling better.Nakita niya si Arianna na nakabantay sa kanya at tulog pa itong nakayuko sa may gilid ng kama. Nahiya siyang gisingin ito kaya marahan siyang tumayo mula sa higaan upang magtungo sa banyo.Napansin nya na kaunti na lamang ang laman ng kanyang IV drip kaya, tinanggal nya na rin ito at nilapag ang karayom sa kanyang pinaghigaan. Masakit pa din ang kanyang sugat ngunit kumpara noong isang gabi, medyo na okay na ito. Sa pakiwari nya ay kaya niya na kumilos na dahan-dahan kung alang-alang sa sariling kapakanan.Pagkapasok nya ng banyo, nilinis nya kaagad ang sarili gamit ang mga basic necessities na nakita bago sya ulit lumabas."My God!" Bulalas ni Arianna. "I've been looking for you everywhere!""Did something happen?" Nabiglang tanong nya.Marahan namang kumalma si Arianna pagkakita sa kanya. "No. I just thought that you're gone!"Ruella shook her head in confusion. "Why would you think of that?""Ahm..." Arianna fidgeted he
Ruella's mouth hung wide open. "Anong ibig mong sabihin, Ollie?"She suddenly felt uneasy.Ang buong akala niya ay nagkasundo na sila. Hiniling nito sa binata na magkanya-kanya na lamang sila. Kung ano man ang naging pinagsamahan nila, hiniling ni Ruella na ibaon na nila ito sa limot at magpatuloy na lamang sila sa buhay. Hindi niya akalain na magmamatigas pa ito."You can think whatever that is," Oliver replied curtly. "I won't let you throw me away from your life, Rue. I swore from seeing you again that I'm not letting you go.""Oliver!" Ruella hissed. "Huwag mo na 'to ipilit!""No Rue!" Oliver protested. "You listen to me. Kinailangan mo nang pumili! Time is ticking!"Ruella didn't know what to say. Mukhang hindi niya na ito kayang pigilan pa. Papayag na lang ba siya sa gusto nito? Paano kung ikapapahamak niya ito?Ruella's fingers trembled in fear. "I can't let you do that, Oliver. There's a lot of things that you don't know.""Then start telling me!" He urged impatiently. "This i
Panandaliang nawala si Oliver sa kanyang ulirat.Hindi niya lubos maisip na ito ang kanyang dadatnan sa loob ng isang malawak na kwarto. Bukod pa roon, naguguluhan din siya sa nakita."These..." Maiksing sambit niya habang marahang pinaikot ang kanyang paningin sa buong silid. "Why do you have all of these?"He was amazed to see a lot of Ruella's photos attached to the wall. They were taken from her childhood till now. They also have a shot at the airport where they hopped on the Royal family's private jet."Isn't it obvious?" Mrs. Salvatorre asked. "I thought you were smart? Don't tell me we're wrong about you, young man!"Oliver stared at the walls. "She believed that all of you had completely abandoned her since birth but in fact, you're looking after her secretly.""Of course," Mrs. Salvatore seemed pleased that Oliver finally understood the true meaning of what he saw. She continued, "The royal blood still runs in her veins and we can't deny that she still belongs to us. Antonio,
Pagdating ni Oliver sa hospital, nagtungo ito kaagad sa loob upang magpa-check.Since Ruella doesn't match, he expected that he must be Louella's match. They were father and daughter after all so It's impossible not to.He was brought into a private room and after a few hours, he was wheeled out.Tulad ng hiniling niya, dinala din siya sa ward kung saan naroon ang dalaga. He wished to stay with her until they both regained their strength para makapag-usap na rin.Habang mahimbing na natutulog ang dalawa sa magkahiwalay na kama, palihim na bumisita naman si Aurora. Marahan siyang pumasok sa loob at pinagmasadan ang dalawa. Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang sayang naramdaman at noon lamang niya naisip ang bagay na dapat matagal niya na ginawa.'Forgive me, Louella! I couldn't protect your daughter before but I promise not to cower anymore! I'll do everything to get her back into this family.'Tahimik itong umiyak habang inaalala ang kapatid ng ilang oras bago ito tuluyang umalis at bumalik sa
Ruella's eyes blazed with fury as she stood before Don Antonio, the revelation about the DNA test results kept messing with her head. "You knew all along, didn't you?" she spat, her voice venomous. "You know Sierra wasn't your real daughter."Don Antonio's expression remained impassive, but a hint of guilt flickered in his eyes. "I had my suspicions," he admitted. "But I need proof."Ruella's anger boiled over. "And what about my mother's death? she demanded. "Sierra's mother was behind it, wasn't she?"Don Antonio shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Ruella. I don't know. It didn't cross my mind that your mother's death was intentional. The doctor's findings about her death were just the same as your daughter's that's why I...""It's because my mother paid the doctor to give false findings," Sierra chimes in. "But she killed him after that to wrap everything up."Ruella's face twisted in rage. Facing Sierra, she spat, anger radiating from her voice. "You'll p
Ruella stared at Sierra, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she dealt with her inner doubts."No!" Sierra screamed, her face twisted into a snarl. She growled. "That's not true! I'm his daughter!"Ruella scoffed. Disgust was evident in her eyes as she retorted. "Well, that's what your mother said but who knows? A lot of possibilities could happen when Dad wasn't around."Sierra's face turned ghastly pale. Shame was eating her whole but she refused to admit it. That secret had long been forgotten since her mother died. She was sure of it since she promised to get rid of her biological mother to keep things wrapped between the two of them.Sierra was confident that Ruella knew nothing about her past and was just trying to manipulate her emotions. She rolled her eyes and spat. "I'm certain that I'm his daughter but how about you?""Oh, Sierra," Ruella said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "I'm a hundred percent sure of that since I've got a lot of people to prove such fact but lo
Several days later...Ruella's tires screeched as she took the final turn, her eyes fixed on the mansion where Sierra was detained by her men. Her heart was heavy, aching weight in her chest, still reeling from Tommy's funeral. She didn't just lose a friend but a potential partner, a brother figure, and most of all the possible father of her child. These realizations took a toll on her emotional turmoil causing her to lack sleep every night.She slammed the car door shut behind her and stormed towards the entrance, her anger and grief boiling over. The doors burst open as she flung them wide, and she strode inside, her eyes blazing with fury."Sierra!" she screamed, her voice roared off the marble floors.Sierra emerged from the shadows, a smirk twisting her lips. "Well, fancy meeting you again sister. Hows Tommy? Have you sent him my regards before burying him six feet under?"Ruella's eyes narrowed, her hands clenched into fists. "You're going to pay for what you did, Sierra!"The a
Ruella's eyes snapped wide open in shock. Her heart beating rapidly as she took in the scene in front of her.She thought that this could be her last. The end of her life and the baby in her womb but someone rushed to take the stab from her.Her lips trembled and fear crept within her. Tommy had come to save her."Tommy!" She mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "What... What are you doing?"Tommy's blood started dripping from his stomach. Clutching his wound, he forced a smile as he faced Ruella. "I told you. I'll always protect you, Rue."Sierra's aim at his chest stopped as soon as she realized that it was Tommy who rushed to aid Ruella. Her hands trembled and the knife fell on the ground. She rushed to check on him. Worry was etched on her messy face but his other hand stopped her from getting closer."Don't you dare get close, Sierra!" He warned, his face twisted murderously. Then he snapped his fingers, summoning all the men he had taken with him, and ordered. "Take this b
Ruella's gaze was locked on the figure. She forgot her surroundings as she walked through the crowd. Meanwhile, Oliver, who had seen the same figure, panicked. He rushed after her, but his face turned pale when she vanished. He scanned the area, but he couldn't find her anywhere.Oliver took out his phone and dialed Ruella's number, but he remembered that he had taken her mobile phone earlier. The mild ringing in one of his racer suit pockets proved he still had it since she had not taken it from him.He mentally cursed himself for taking her phone. If he hadn't done such a possessive stunt earlier, he would've been able to contact her easily by now. Feeling frustrated, Oliver dialed his subordinate's number, but nobody answered to his dismay. The ringing went on for about a few minutes and after what seemed like forever, he finally heard the voice he longed to hear."Boss," The familiar voice echoed."Why was Sierra here?! I thought I made it clear to you to keep an eye on her?" Ol
Oliver stared deeply into her eyes with undeniable desire etched on his face. "I swear," he grumbled. His voice turned huskier with each second. "My self-control was about to snap if you kept doing this, Rue."Ruella took a step back and blinked. It was not that she couldn't read his expression, but she was embarrassed to point it out. Her face reddened slightly as she looked away, trying to divert their attention from the thought they both had in mind."Why are you here, Oliver, and how did you know I am here?" She suddenly became curious, recalling that she hadn't told him about her joining this race."Dad called me," Oliver sighed. "I was supposed to take you home by now, but I know you'll refuse me, so I considered accompanying you instead."It was rare for him to be this considerate. In the past, it had always been her who used to yield over some things but now, everything seemed to have been changed. It amused her how the tables turned in her favor this time.She raised her eyeb
The loud screeching of his tires caught the massive attention of people heading in and out of the race track. Everyone looks at his car in awe. Their eyes focused directly on his windshield, trying to catch a glimpse of him but Oliver didn't notice this. His attention was solely focused on his phone."Come again, Uncle?" He asked, wondering if he heard him correctly since Sofia was in jail.Before this, he hadn't received any updates about her being taken to the hospital so how is it possible that she is out there fighting for her life? What happened?"Sofia is in critical condition," Mr. Castillo repeated, and since the police had already briefed him about Sofia's involvement in the incident, he also explained according to his knowledge.Hearing his subtle explanation, Oliver's face turned cold. He remained silent until the older man finished talking. Taking the details into consideration, he finally said. "I can't make it right now, Uncle. I'm busy but I'll be there as soon as I'm
In the race track, Ruella was summoned out of her team's private lounge for a quick interview, and out of courtesy for them, she agreed though she hadn't tried facing the camera. Wearing her signature sunglasses, she dragged herself out immediately.A lot of reporters came running as soon as they spotted her coming out. They look trailed and ecstatic at her fully geared-up appearance. She got most men's attention once she stood not far away from the race track.Her long cascading brown hair was blown by the impact of racing cars passing by adding a sense of amazement to everyone. They couldn't take their eyes off her. It was as if they saw a goddess descending from no one knows where."Miss Ventura," One of the reporters began to ask. "Since when did you start showing interest in car racing?"Ruella thought for a while before she answered. "Since I was fifteen."They all gasped, unable to believe her words. One reporter then came forward to ask her another question."The Annual Racing
"She never said anything about it," Oliver flatly replied. "I don't want to meddle in your affairs right now but you've got to get her as soon as possible," Don Antonio said hurriedly. "Her Aunt was freaking out right now!""Is that Oliver?" He even heard Aurora's loud voice in the background which meant that she was indeed throwing a tantrum. "Tell him to get his wife right now or I'll do it on my own!"Don Antonio sighed helplessly. "You heard her. You've got to hurry before she calls someone else to take her away from that race track!"Holding his phone, Oliver didn't know how to react. From the way Don Antonio speaks, he seems a little scared of Aurora which makes him quite baffled.His mind immediately wondered. 'When did he allow Aurora to boss him around?'After quite some time, Oliver's thoughts became steady again once the line was dropped dead and Emman's confused face came into his view.Startled, he blinked several times before he snarled. "What are you doing?""When are