"Wait, could Sarina be the woman they're talking about? See you in the next chapter. Thank you!"
MaximusMariano just looked at me and didn't answer. Even the police officer said nothing and just handed over an envelope. What's inside? Why is my brother being so secretive now? Was I thinking right? Does it have to do with my wife?"That's a copy of all the results," said the police officer."Can you continue your investigation until you find out what happened?" Mariano insisted."Can you answer me? Who is she? Who is the woman you're talking about?" My anxiety turned into fear and worry. What if they are really talking about Sarina? It just dawned on me that Mariano wouldn't need me here if this were related to his group's transaction. It's clear this involves me, so I can't help but be annoyed at him for staying silent."Shut up, Maximus. I am trying to negotiate here," my brother replied before turning back to the police officer, whose face was full of confusion. Maybe he was wondering why I was acting like this. "Please, officer. Don't stop the investigation unless you find the
MaximusThree months after reading those files, I returned to the Philippines, and the police investigation still hasn't yielded any results, even after a year and a half. I should have lost all my hopes, but the loneliness made me not to. I didn't want to feel empty forever, and I thought that would always be how I felt if I didn't hold on to the hope that my wife would return.It's been two years since I last saw my wife, and the pain is still fresh. My older brother and friends call me frequently, probably to cheer me up, but it doesn't help. Six months ago, Mariano visited me, and we spent an entire day together. He talked to me seriously and said it was unlikely that Sarina would be found. I was furious because I knew he had a point.Then, the hope I had been holding onto to stay strong had completely vanished. My brother stayed with me, and I saw the worry on my grandmother's face. I even saw her cry out of fear for my condition because I had attempted to take my own life. I coul
"What did you say?" I asked again, thinking I misheard him."You heard me right, Max," he replied, sighing."And? What about Sarina? Did you find her? Is she in his house? Did he take her?" It seemed my questions would never run out, so he had to answer. He should have given me an answer that I wanted to hear."Nothing, Max." From the very beginning, Mariano had been helping me find my wife. Our prime suspect was Roskov, so he never stopped tracking his activities. And now my brother tells me he's gone? That he's dead, and there's no more information we can get to find out where or how my wife is? I was just thinking about her earlier and how miserable my life is, and then this?"No, how can you say that?" I asked angrily. I couldn't accept his reply. There has to be something that might lead us to my wife. We never found her body, so he had to be alive somewhere. That bastard Roskov was only hiding her."We can't do anything about it, Max," he said. What, am I just supposed to accept
Maximus"Find me a competent secretary, Aries!" I shouted at my assistant. The previous ones had resigned one by one, and any replacements never lasted long. They couldn't handle my temperament despite my assistant's efforts to keep them. The two secretaries with me in Las Vegas had also left, as they often bore the brunt of my anger. I didn't intend to, but I always couldn't help shouting and yelling whenever I felt frustrated.It's been a year since the Las Vegas police confirmed Sarina's death. For several months, I locked myself in my own world again, refusing to talk to anyone. Until one day, I suddenly woke up and started working. But that was it; I just continued doing what I used to do. Sometimes, I tried to find happiness with other women but felt nothing. I couldn't find solace in them, and even if Midori had frequently visited me, I still couldn't let myself take her. There's a part of me that stops me from getting closer to her."The HR has already started posting the hirin
Maximus"I already told you I am not ready for another relationship." I was angry, and I made sure it showed on my face."You don't have to worry, Maximus. Midori is very understanding, and I'm sure she would be a big help to you," Uncle Botan interjected, making me look at him and meet our eyes."Does Midori know how to cook?" I asked, wiping the smile off the woman's and her father's face."Ahm, no, but you can hire a maid. Come on, Maximus. You need a wife, not a maid." This man actually responded."Can she clean the house? Do the laundry? Wash the dishes? Clean the toilet?" I continued to ask, ignoring Uncle's sudden, displeased look."Grandson," Lola gently tried to stop me."My wife knows how to do those things. Even if she's not a doctor, she can cure my pain. She massages me whenever I am tired because of work, and most of all, she hates shopping and traveling. Can Midori do that?" I asked Grandma and Uncle Botan before turning to Midori and asking her directly. "Can you do tha
Maximus"Sir, your coffee," said a voice as a cup of coffee was placed on my table. I had just arrived at my office and had barely sat down when she knocked and entered. The moment I hired her, I always looked forward to seeing and hearing her voice."Thank you," I said without looking up. Hearing her voice was enough to remind me of Sarina.The last applicant I interviewed a week ago had a voice like my wife's. I was disappointed when I saw her face, which wasn't Sarina's, but I still hired her to lessen the loneliness I felt in my heart."Do you need anything else, sir?" she asked."No, thank you." I felt her turn and walk towards the door when I remembered I needed Aries to prepare for the meeting with the marketing team. "Ah, Bella," I called out, lifting my head just as she turned to look at me. For some reason, I saw Sarina's smiling face, making me shake my head."Sir?" she called out, returning my attention to her. "Are you okay? Maybe you should rest for a while.""Huh? Why?"
Bella"My wife," a man's voice said. I didn't know who he was; I couldn't see him and only heard his voice."Hmm?""My wife,""Hmm?""My wife!"I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, and felt an inexplicable thrill.My wife.Whose voice was that? Why do I often hear him in my sleep? Why do I always respond to his call?I've been working as Mr. Maximus Lardizabal's secretary for a week. Since then, I've been experiencing this kind of dream. I see nothing but darkness, no objects or people, just that voice saying those words.My wife. Who is this voice calling out to?Me?I shook my head before looking at my child, still sleeping peacefully. I kissed his forehead before getting up and leaving our room to drink some cold water.As I passed through the living room, I glanced at the wall clock and saw it was already half past four in the morning. I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep now, and with my work schedule, I might be late and get fired by my boss if I did. So, I decided to start the d
BellaMy job as Mr. Lardizabal's secretary is exhausting and completely drains my energy. I'm the only one handling everything in his office, handling tasks that Mr. Aries can no longer manage. It's fine because the pay is really good, but I've spent two weeks consistently working overtime in my month working for him.I've been losing time with my son, who needs my attention as well, and I'm so thankful that Aunt Amor and the others love him so much. I've also been going to bed late and waking up early because of unexpected dreams that leave my mind in chaos. Who is that "my wife," the voice of a man in my dreams referring to? As time passes, the man's voice becomes more familiar. What's even more frustrating is that sometimes the voice sounds so sensual, as if he's moaning while saying "my wife." I often feel a strange wetness between my legs that I can't explain.I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away while working. The office tasks are crucial because my boss has consid
SarinaMaximus had always been incredibly supportive. There were days when he would follow me to the university, and I felt like a teenager again. I couldn’t help but smile as the woman stared at him, only to find out I was his wife. He would kiss me deeply in front of all the students before inviting me into the car.But honestly, it hasn’t been easy. Every morning, I had to wake up early just to keep up with our exercise routine. Dr. Miraez told me it would help if I lost some weight, as I had been feeling insecure. But Maximus reassured me that no matter what form, size, or shape I was in, I would always be the only woman he’d love and desire.Still, it's hard not to feel insecure as a woman, especially when your husband is still as handsome and fit as ever. Maximus is health-conscious, so his body remains well-maintained.Years passed, and my routine became second nature despite my lessons getting harder. My kids seemed to understand my situation. Lisa said they behaved so well whe
MaximusJust as Sarina wished, she pursued studying medicine. She started a bit late and had to catch up with her classmates, making her early days extremely busy. The kids were excited when we told them. Chase, who understood the most, was incredibly happy for his mother.Sarina worried about our children, but Lisa assured her they would take care of everything in her absence. As the boss of my own company, I could look after our kids whenever necessary.“Relax, my love. Everything will be fine, so just focus on your studies, okay?” She nodded and smiled at me before kissing my lips sweetly.I accompanied her to her therapy sessions with Dr. Miraez. During that time, I felt useless, as I hadn’t realized that Sarina, too, could break down like anyone else. I was a fool to think that the superwoman in my life had no weaknesses, despite knowing the horrors she had endured at the hands of those cruel people.One day, she came to my office to apologize to Lavinia. Her face flushed with emb
Sarina "Where are you taking me, Maximus?" I asked as he continued driving. It was a Saturday morning, and we were supposed to spend time with our kids at home. But out of the blue, he invited me to go out, saying he had somewhere he wanted to go—with me, of course. It had been a month since we reconciled and came to an understanding. I was enrolled in the university and trying to catch up with the lesson I missed because I started a little late. Today, I skipped my school-related tasks because it was supposed to be our family day. But now, here I was, being whisked away to some unknown destination by my husband. "You're still as impatient as ever, my wife. And why do you only call me Maximus? Are you mad?" "No, it's just that you're being so secretive. Why won't you tell me where we're going?" He took a deep breath before replying. "Just relax, my wife. I have something to show you, and I want your opinion on it." I let him be and stopped questioning him. He was driving, a
SarinaTwo days had passed, and Maximus and I still hadn't spoken, although he kept trying. I was still hurt and didn’t want to cry in front of him anymore.I felt guilty and a bit embarrassed for slapping his secretary, who turned out to be Aries' girlfriend. I wanted to speak to her and personally apologize. From Maximus' expression when he revealed who Lavinia really was, I knew nothing had happened between them. Still, it hurt that he kicked me out, giving the shallow excuse that he was just surprised or shocked.It was Saturday, so Maximus was home, but he was in his mini office talking to Aries. Earlier, they had been playing with the kids, and he excused himself to speak with his assistant for a moment.I waited for their conversation to end, watching for him to come out. "I want to tell you something," I said. He nodded quickly and moved closer to touch me, but I stepped away and walked into his office.Maximus followed me and sat down at his desk while I remained standing in f
Sarina“My wife,” Maximus said as soon as he saw me walking up the porch. He looked in a hurry, probably about to leave, so I just gave him a nod. I kept walking into the house, with him following closely behind.“Mommy!!!” Chastity screamed the moment she saw me. The other children turned around and rushed toward me while I noticed my husband watching quietly.“Did you behave while I was gone?” I asked them with a smile.“Yes!!!” they all replied in unison, and I couldn't help but shower them with kisses in delight.“Why did Daddy come home first? Nanny said you went to his office.”“Well, Mommy had somewhere else to go, so Daddy came home first. I needed to make sure you weren’t getting into any trouble.”“Behave, babies,” chimed in my seventh child, Chanton. His words were still slightly slurred, but it was understandable. I picked him up and walked toward the living room, holding Chastity’s hand, with the others trailing behind, except for the youngest, who was in Rowena’s arms, sm
SarinaI can’t believe it. He yelled at me and threw me out of his office. It hurts so much; I don’t know where to go or who to turn to. Why did this happen? Has he really changed? When did this all start, and why am I only feeling it now? I had been too busy taking care of our children to the point that I forgot about myself, and this?I couldn’t stop my tears from falling. I kept wiping my cheeks as I passed that woman in the hallway. I didn’t want to take the elevator and risk anyone seeing me like this.When I decided to visit his office, all the scenarios I imagined disappeared instantly. I thought his office could once again become our little love haven, just like it used to be. But that didn’t happen. Instead, the scene I walked into was a nightmare, and what happened after that felt like hell.I couldn’t shake the image of that woman from my mind—beautiful, sexy. And I’m sure she’s smart, too. Maximus never liked someone who couldn’t keep up with him and how he worked. He wants
MaximusI didn’t like what happened, and I felt upset with Sarina for what she thought. I could never cheat on her—she alone is more than enough for me. So why does she feel that way? When did she lose her trust in me? Is that why she came here without warning and didn’t bring the kids? Was it just to do what she did earlier?She always brought the kids whenever she visited me in my office. Even when it was just Chase, she hated going out alone—not out of fear, but because she didn’t want to leave our children behind.I took a deep breath and sank into my chair. I leaned back before closing my eyes. My head still throbbed from the hangover, and what just happened only made it worse.I heard the door to my office open, likely Lavinia. "Sir," she called, prompting me to open my eyes and watch her pick up the things scattered on the floor.“I’m sorry, Lavinia.”“It’s okay, Sir.” She placed the laptop on my table along with Sarina's lunchbox."It looks like Ma'am Sarina wanted to spend tim
Maximus"Aw, shit!" I groaned as I woke up, slowly blinking my eyes open. I glanced around and remembered that I wasn't at home. I looked at my wristwatch and saw that it was already half past six.I sat up and pulled the blanket off my body, only to be shocked when I realized I wasn’t wearing any clothes. My eyes darted around the room, searching for my clothes, and I noticed a rack with some neatly hung clothes on it.Nobody else was in the room, so I stood up and headed to the bathroom to shower. Judging by the room's look, I must be in a hotel. There was a bar downstairs where I had stayed last night, lost in thoughts about my wife.“Shit! Sarina!” I shouted, but I could only shake my head as I recalled what happened yesterday. I turned on the shower and began washing myself, but the thoughts of my wife wouldn’t leave my mind.I couldn’t understand her anymore. I noticed she’s always quiet, and whenever I ask her what’s wrong, she smiles and says it’s nothing. But I’m not a mind re
Sarina"Let’s talk," Maximus said firmly as I stepped out of the bathroom.“I’m not in the mood to talk,” I said before turning my back on him; he grabbed my arm, spinning me around to face him.“I want to know what’s going on, Sarina.” That’s what he called me now, Sarina. I stared at him, and he met my gaze, waiting for an answer.“Nothing is going on, Maximus.”“Then what was that downstairs? Why did you suddenly get so angry?”“Chanden chased Chansen, and he fell. What do you want me to do about it?”“Is that how you correct the kids when they make mistakes? And besides, they’re just kids. It’s normal for them to play and get hurt sometimes.”“You know what? No matter how much I try to explain, you'll never understand me.” I tried to walk away again, but he wouldn’t let me.“Talk to me, Sarina. Tell me what’s really going on. I don’t believe this is just about correcting the kids.”“I told you, nothing’s wrong!” I blurted out. Maximus stared at me intently as if trying to read my s