I glanced at him, unable to hide my frown because of his last statement.“Don’t worry. I have no intention of escaping. Just make sure my family and friends are safe. We have nothing to argue about anymore.”His smile slowly disappeared, and surprise replaced it. It seemed like he didn’t expect me to say that.I smiled at him before turning back to look at the vast ocean. Due to everything that happened in the past few days and the information he shared with me, which still isn’t clear until now, I couldn’t leave his control.I still need to know everything he’s hiding and everything he knows about me.***“How many days will we stay here?” I asked Stephen as we entered our room.I couldn’t help but be amazed by its entirety. Aside from the spacious bed in the middle, it also had a mini-living room on the right side. There was a long chocolate and white sofa placed there, and in front of it was a long center table. The wall facing this area had a flat-screen TV attached to it. On the
Nathalia’s POVI silently answered a take-home activity for school when I was suddenly disturbed by my mother forcefully opening my bedroom door.“Mom?” I called her, but she ignored me. She went straight to my closet and started grabbing my clothes, then pulled out a suitcase and placed it on the bed.“What are you doing, Mom?” I asked, puzzled, as I approached her.“We’re leaving. Get ready.” Her voice trembled with panic.I furrowed my brow. I couldn’t recall any plans we had for today. Besides, it was already evening.“Where are we going?” I followed her movements, trying to make sense of what she was doing. Despite not having any idea what was happening, I couldn’t help but feel anxious.She paused for a moment from her rushed packing and faced me. I was taken aback when she tightly gripped both my shoulders.“Nathalia, listen to what I will say, okay?”I nodded even though I was still clueless about what was happening.She took a deep breath before continuing, “We need to get ou
Nathalia’s POVI stayed in the resort’s infirmary for a few hours before the nurse finally allowed me to leave. I couldn’t help but feel regretful, as it was already dark outside when I got out. Because of what happened, I wasn’t able to make the most of my stay here, and we’re heading back home tomorrow.We’re currently having dinner in one of the huts here, which is close to the beach. Chicken with creamed corn, Tortellini, Slow cooker shrimp boil, Creamy pesto chicken, and vegetable salad are served on our long table. There are also a few bottles of red wine on the side.“Hey, take it easy on the food. Don’t let them see that you’re starving,” Harold teased Albert, who was eating enthusiastically.“Exactly. It’s like you haven’t eaten for days, huh? Even though you practically finished all of our snacks earlier,” Damon teased further.Albert was about to retort when he suddenly choked. Damon quickly handed him water. Just as Mads was about to pat his back, Damon slapped her hand aw
Nathalia’s POVThree days have passed since we went to Stephen’s family’s private resort. But until now, I have been troubled by his response to the question I threw at him.“Because I love you.”I let out an exasperated sigh as I stared at the ceiling. I’ve been awake since earlier, but I still can’t bring myself to get up.After he answered that night, he quickly stood up and left. We didn’t get to finish the game, and we silently retreated to our respective rooms. Even during the journey back home, not a word was exchanged between us. I couldn’t even confront Damon and Mads anymore due to the absurd questions thrown at them by Harold and Albert.Since that day, Stephen hasn’t shown me any affection. We’re in the same house, sharing the same bed, but I feel like he’s not really there.I should be happy. Because aside from not talking to me anymore, he’s also letting me do the things I want. As long as I’m always with Cole.But I don’t know why sadness is slowly engulfing me.I knew
After everyone introduced themselves, we headed straight to the garden for breakfast. My stomach grumbled at the enticing aroma of coffee. Adding to that, there was an omelet, hotdogs, ham, and fried rice laid out on the table.As we started eating, Stephen’s friends were still fooling around, and he could only shake his head in response.We were almost finished eating when someone suddenly spoke from behind me. I was facing away from the direction of the door.“Yo, what’s up?”I almost dropped the cup I was holding when I heard Harold’s familiar voice. My eyes widened as I turned to see who it was.“Nathalia!”I quickly stood up and was embraced by Mads.“Hey! What are you guys doing here?” I asked in surprise. They really liked surprising me with their visits.“We heard that the gang was here, so we decided to come over.” Damon grinned, referring to Stephen’s friends.I looked around at them. Does that mean they’re friends with these weirdos too?“Hey! You guys walk fast!” Liam sudd
Nathalia’s POVI sighed as I stared at the white envelope containing an invitation from Stephen’s friend, Oliver Garcia. I had just finished reading it, and both Stephen and I were invited to a charity ball organized by his family at a hotel.To be honest, I wasn’t sure how I should feel about it. The purpose of the charity ball was to aid street children and elderly individuals in nursing homes. However, as Stephen informed me, many of the attendees were members of an underground society.Given that, I couldn’t help but wonder if the event was merely a cover for their illegal activities.My thoughts were interrupted when the door suddenly opened and Stephen walked in. I furrowed my brow as I noticed he was carrying two large boxes.“Wear this for the event later. I’ll be waiting for you outside. Just be ready in an hour.”“Do I really have to come along?” I asked him before he fully exited the room. He remained facing away from me.I was accustomed to attending various types of celeb
After a few more moments of catching up, Stephen and I decided to take our seats. I rarely get to spend time with Mom, so I was glad he granted my request.“Are you surprised?” he whispered to me as we sat down.I turned to him with a smile. “I really am. Thank you.”We started chatting with Mads while sipping wine from our glasses. Occasionally, Liam would join in. But most of the time, Dad and Stephen were engrossed in business talk.We were laughing when my attention was drawn to the other table. Ashter had a scowl on his face, seemingly annoyed by his brother Rhyz’s teasing. Ryza and Riley were both engrossed in their phones, probably playing a mobile game. Meanwhile, Amelia was busy patting Ace’s back; he already seemed quite intoxicated. Amelia seemed to be advising him to stop, but he continued drinking anyway.My forehead furrowed as I noticed that Oliver and Shantel were no longer around. I quickly scanned the area and saw them talking to each other not too far away. It seeme
Nathalia’s POVMy head and eyes were hurting when I woke up the next day. I could hardly sleep last night because of what Stephen said. Thankfully, he left early today.Honestly, I don’t know how I would face him if the opportunity arose.I’m afraid that my own heart might betray me. Because with each passing day, I feel it slowly weakening and falling for him.That can’t be.We didn’t talk anymore until we got home last night. But he held my hand throughout the journey while his other hand was on the wheel. As much as I wanted to remove it, I couldn’t. No matter how much I denied it, I knew within myself that I found comfort in that simple gesture.It almost made me forget that the man beside me at that time was my kidnapper. How I wish that we had met in different circumstances.I yawned as I descended the stairs. Some of Stephen’s men, whom I passed by, greeted me formally.I responded with a smile and a nod. Somehow, the nervousness I used to feel whenever I saw them had disappear
TYLER woke up to the sound of his wife’s loud scream. He jolted out of bed and quickly searched for Sabrina with his eyes. He saw her lying on the floor, clutching her belly and wincing in pain. He rushed to her side immediately.“Wifey, what happened? What’s hurting?” he asked anxiously. However, his words caught in his throat as he noticed liquid flowing down her legs.“My water broke! I think I’m in labor, hubby!” She held onto his arm tightly. Her nails dug into his skin, but he paid them no mind.Tyler was at a loss for what to do. He had been about to grab their prepared items, but her screams continued to fill the room. He carefully lifted her into his arms and quickly headed out of the room. They had been sleeping in a room on the first floor for ease of access in case she suddenly went into labor.They were met by a startled Salome, who was still wiping her hands, probably from doing the dishes.“What happened? I heard Sabrina scream loudly,” she asked, her eyes moving down t
SABRINA couldn’t help but laugh when she noticed her husband’s sullen face. Today marks their second wedding anniversary. But it seems like it’s been hit by a stroke of bad luck. “Hey. You have nothing to worry about because we can still celebrate our anniversary tonight.” She cheered him up.Tyler let out a deep sigh before walking over to her and wrapping both of his arms around her waist.“I can’t help it. We are supposed to be celebrating already right at this moment. But suddenly, there was a problem in the company. Why does it have to happen on this day of all days?”She gently stroked his arm. “Let it be. What’s important is that we sort out the issue first. We can celebrate anytime.”He snorted before kneeling down and kissing her stomach.“Baby, just wait for Daddy, okay? Just behave there, alright? Don’t give Mommy a hard time. I love the both of you,” he said to their child.Tears welled up in Sabrina’s eyes. She never imagined that such a day would come. “We love you more
SABRINA blinked as she looked at herself in the mirror; she had no idea what was happening. It had only been a few minutes since Tyler left earlier, and she was taken aback when David suddenly appeared at the mansion’s door, accompanied by well-known stylists. Some of them she had even worked with before.“Wait. You still haven’t told me who sent you here or what kind of event I will be attending. Why don’t I know anything about it? I haven’t received any invitation,” she wondered aloud to the stylists.At first, she thought that her manager, Josefa, had accepted a project for her without consulting her. But when she called him earlier, he said there were none.“Just wait and see later, mamsh. For now, just sit back and relax,” said the makeup artist in a playful tone.She didn’t speak anymore and just let them continue with their work. When she tried calling her husband, his phone was turned off. So, for now, she will trust David. She’s known the man for a long time, so she knows he’
TYLER was engrossed in reading the report sent to him by Rodel when, suddenly, his car came to a halt. He was hesitant to send his friend back to work, but he was insistent.He closed his eyes and gently massaged his temples before setting down the tablet he was holding and getting out of the car. The sound of the strong waves greeted his ears from the nearby sea that was right in front of him. Because the sun was still scorching, he accepted the shades handed to him by his assistant and friend, David.“Your ex’s chosen location is pretty nice, huh? Going for the seaside restaurant vibe?” David chuckled humorlessly.Tyler looked at his friend with an expressionless face. While Rodel was quiet during work hours, his assistant David was the opposite—noisy and playful.“Shut up. Why haven’t you found a woman to love yet? So, you won’t be messing with my love life and bothering me,” he retorted, exasperated.David winced. “Man, I’ve seen enough of what you and Rodel went through because o
SABRINA remained in a daze, trying to comprehend Tyler’s words. Ever since their child disappeared, he has reverted to treating her coldly.But she understood him. What she couldn’t accept was the accusation he made against her a few weeks ago, right after they returned to the mansion from the hospital. He claimed that she deliberately and willingly allowed what happened because she wasn’t ready to have a child.She felt as if her husband had stomped on her heart, shattering it into pieces with the sharpness of his words. He didn’t even consider that it was also her child that they lost. She carried that child within her, even if it was for a short time. Above all else, she too experienced the pain of losing their baby. However, she couldn’t properly grieve because of Tyler’s cold treatment of her.After a few minutes, she finally recovered from her shock. She never imagined that her husband’s actions would lead to such a decision.With a sudden idea forming in her mind, she gently sq
TYLER raised the beer bottle he was holding before letting out a loud cheer. In the past few weeks, the bar had become like his second home, as he spent more time there than in his mansion.“Cheers!” he said before taking a big gulp from the bottle.“Ty, you’re drunk. We’ll take you home,” his assistant David intervened.“Yeah, that’s right. And Sabrina might be looking for you. It's already late, huh? I’m sure your wife is getting worried,” his secretary, Rodel, said as he tidied up the scattered empty beer bottles from the floor and gathered them on the table.Tyler shook his head and shrugged off David’s hand, who was trying to stop him, before looking at Rodel.“You should go home. Your wife needs you, especially since she just gave birth. You’re supposed to be enjoying your leave. I’m sorry for bothering you,” he insisted, shooing Rodel away.“You didn’t really bother me. Besides, Mayen’s older sibling is at home right now, so she has some company. But my wife would scold me if I
SABRINA posed gracefully, looking serious as she gazed at the camera. Today will be her final photo shoot before she completely leaves the modeling world. She didn’t want to create any major issues, so she aimed to quietly bid farewell to the world she had grown accustomed to.It had been a week since she and Tyler visited the obstetrician for a check-up. The doctor mentioned that her pregnancy was delicate, but they prescribed her vitamins and medication to support the baby’s development.“That’s it. Now, lay down slightly on the couch with your legs crossed and look in front of the camera with your parted lips. Give us your fierce look,” the photographer instructed.She immediately followed the photographer’s instructions. She carefully made her way and laid her body down slightly on the couch. She was wearing high heels. Despite not wanting to, she didn’t have any other choice. Besides, it was the last one anyway.From the corner of her eyes, she saw the manager attentively watchin
TYLER let out a frustrated curse when his assistant, David, showed him the pictures on his cellphone. He never thought that a picture of him and Tanya lurking at the bar a month ago would actually leak out.He stood up abruptly and slammed his hand on the table. “Find out who took those photos. Make sure they don’t spread any further,” he demanded, his jaw clenching as he looked at his assistant. “You already know what to do.”David nodded, “Yes, sir.” He excused himself before quickly leaving Tyler’s office.Tyler swiftly organized his things. Even though he hadn’t received a call from Sabrina about her photo shoot, he was determined to go to her immediately. He wouldn’t allow her to see those pictures. He didn’t want anything to upset her during this crucial time for both of them and their unborn child.Tyler practically flew his car to the restaurant where he left Sabrina earlier. When he arrived, he hurriedly went inside and looked for his wife.“Tyler!”He looked back to where th
SABRINA reached for Tyler’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Her husband was frowning, and she didn’t want to leave him while he was still upset, especially since they had just recently reconciled.“Do you still really need to go to work? I can talk to your manager, even the other companies you’re contracted with. For sure, they’ll understand once they find out that you’re pregnant,” he said with a mixture of irritation and concern in his voice.She released a deep sigh. “I can still handle it, you know. Besides, I plan to finish my other pending commitments while my baby bump isn’t too noticeable yet. Once I’m done with everything, I’ll finally take a break. I’ll also talk to Jose about that later,” she assured him.At that moment, he turned to look at her. “Fine. But please be careful, okay?” He held her hand tightly, as if not wanting to let her go.“I will,” she replied. She leaned in and planted a tender kiss on his lips before finally saying goodbye and getting out of the car.