Sarina's POV:"Would you really go with Jason?" Maximus asked angrily."You've seen it before, yet your blood starts boiling before anything even happens. How much worse would it be if you experienced what I saw and heard earlier in the elevator?" I retorted."We may not love each other, but while our contract is in effect, you need to respect our relationship."You're the one who wanted this marriage, not me. We were supposed to have a strictly sexual relationship—nothing more—but you complicated things," I added."So it's my fault?" he asked. "I was just thinking about you when I made that offer.""You didn't need to consider me. I wouldn't have told anyone about our purely physical arrangement," I replied."But you spread news of our contractual marriage, didn't you? Especially to Jason?" he accused.I was taken aback. How did he know I had mentioned it to my ex?Our conversation was heating up, and it seemed he was losing his temper."You know what? I better go home becau
Maximus' POV:I must have been the happiest man in the world when I heard Sarina call me "hubby."For others, it might have seemed trivial, but for me, it was a huge deal.I wanted to be sure she felt something for me before I fully confessed. I didn't want to look like a fool in front of her, only to have her laugh at me.Even before that moment, I had noticed that she didn't seem to like me, but I could also sense that my kisses and the pleasure I gave her were beginning to have a different effect on her.We could start from there. At least we had something we agreed upon.What had happened in my office would remain one of the most important memories of my life.I wasn't like other men who brought their women into their workspaces. I wasn't that kind of man.If there was one thing I could be proud of in my relationship with Sarina, it was that she was the only woman I had ever been with inside, and in every corner, of my office.It had been just the two of us there, with no
Sarina's POV:"Darling! I knew you'd be here!" a woman shouted as I stepped out of the room.When I turned to look, her arms were wrapped around Maximus' neck, their lips locked together."What do you think you're doing?!" Maximus demanded, shoving the woman away.She appeared utterly confused.When she glanced at me, Maximus did too."Who is that bitch?" the woman asked, making me raise an eyebrow.I shot Maximus a look, and he seemed at a loss for words."Shut up! She's my wife!" he snapped.I breathed a sigh of relief at his words. Had he said anything else, I would have flown back to Pearlisia immediately."Wife? When did you get married?" the woman asked, her voice dripping with disbelief."None of your business. Now, please leave." He practically shoved her out of the room."Wait, Max, stop—" she protested, but he slammed the door in her face."Wifey, I can explain. She kissed me, and I didn't kiss back. You saw that I even pushed her away," Maximus said quickly, rus
Sarina's POV:After Maximus left for lunch, four hours passed, and he still hadn't returned.I was hungry but unsure where to go, so I decided to step out.Where could that pervert be meeting someone?As I descended in the hotel elevator, it suddenly opened, and I assumed I had reached the ground floor.My eyes widened when someone I hadn't expected stepped inside."Sarina?" His face was full of surprise, confirming he hadn't expected to see me here."Jason, what are you doing here?" I asked as he stood beside me.It was no big deal to me, and I assumed it was the same for him.We chatted casually until the elevator doors opened again, and we both stepped out.After telling me that his father had a friend who wanted to meet him and that his parents had sent him here, Jason asked, "Where are you headed?"I didn't hesitate to explain. "I'm not sure where to order food from, and I'm hungry. I was thinking of finding a supermarket outside the hotel."He laughed loudly before as
Sarina's POV:"Hi, have you been here long?" I asked Maximus with a smile as I approached."Where have you been?" Maximus questioned."Just outside. I got hungry," I replied, which made him frown."Where did you eat?" he asked."There's a diner not far from here. That's where I ate.""Did you have money?""Huh? No," I said.Before I could add more, he suddenly pulled me.He tugged me forcefully, causing me to land painfully on his lap."Ouch!" I frowned and glared at him, but his expression remained unchanged—no hint of a smile.I was sitting sideways on his thighs, and when I looked at him, his frown was intense."Who were you with?""Jason!" I answered quickly.I had no intention of hiding it from him since we hadn't done anything wrong."And you're proud of it?" His tone was sharp.I wasn't proud. I had merely stated a fact. Why did it come across that way to him?"What are you talking about, Maximus? You asked who I was with, so I simply answered. Why are you so up
Sarina's POV:That shameless pervert Maximus was really getting on my nerves.I quickly stood up and dressed.It was so frustrating—I felt completely irritated. I never thought I'd feel this way just because things hadn't gone as I wanted.What was happening to me? Was I becoming a pervert too?That scoundrel had such a strong influence on me!Of all the things he could teach me, why did it have to be lust? He better watch out—I'd make sure he got what was coming to him.I suddenly stopped and sat back after getting dressed.I looked at myself, trying to sense my feelings.Was this really all there was? Damn!It was infuriating—why couldn't I stay calm?Frustrated, I lifted my skirt again and examined my fingers.My nails weren't even long because I wasn't used to it.Slowly, I slipped my hand into my panties and mimicked what Maximus had done.I gently played with my clit and admitted it felt okay. But something was missing—I couldn't feel the pleasure I experienced when
Maximus' POV:Even when I was with my friends, my mind was still on Sarina.They teased me as we chatted, noticing my distraction. Those same guys were the ones who had sent a woman—whose name I couldn't remember—to our hotel room.That was when they realized I was serious about Sarina. I told them off, making it clear that I wasn't interested.They had assumed I had married Miranda, finally agreeing with my grandmother, but they were wrong.By the afternoon, I couldn't take it anymore.I said goodbye to them, thinking Sarina might be hungry, and decided to return to her so we could eat together.But just as I turned toward the elevator, I saw her walking out with Jason.What was he doing here? Had Sarina told him we were here, and he had followed us?Anger flared inside me as I watched them.I didn't know whether to follow them or just let it go.Was I ready to see something I didn't want to see? Was I prepared to get hurt if that happened?I quickly shook my head—I knew I
Maximus' POV:"What? You want a drink?" I asked."Yes," she replied."And, of course, you," she added.I looked at the bartender and gestured for him to pour a drink for the woman as well—not to hit on her but to give her someone to drink with.I knew that if I sent her away, someone else would surely take her place.And so, I drank with the woman whose name I didn't bother to learn until I started feeling dizzy.I didn't even know what time it was, as my mind was consumed with thoughts of Sarina, who probably had no intention of calling or checking on me.I was slumped over the bar, repeatedly calling out Sarina's name when someone lifted my head. "Handsome, don't sleep on me."It would have been better if I'd seen Sarina's face, but, unfortunately, I didn't.I brushed off her hand when it touched my face. Unfortunately, she was persistent, grabbing me again before kissing me.Although I was drunk, I still knew what I was doing.I knew she wasn't Sarina, so I gently pushed
Sarina's POV:"How could you be so handsome?" Ruth asked Chase.Chase sat beside her in the living room, happily chatting with Ruth.I watched them. Though Ruth still held anger toward me, I couldn't help but feel happy seeing how much she doted on Chase.I hadn't expected her to accept him so warmly, despite Maximus and Gerald's assurances that she would.Even though Ruth still seethed at the sight of me, I could no longer stay angry with her.Perhaps it was time to try to understand her better, especially now that I knew she was one of the people who loved my son.I texted Maximus about his grandmother's arrival.He called, but I declined—didn't want Ruth to think I was tattling on her.Thus, Maximus and I texted instead."Daddy, handsome," Chase said, delighting Ruth even more. Her smile seemed about to split her face in two.Ruth stayed for lunch, happily feeding Chase herself.I noticed Lisa glance at me, aware of how poorly Ruth had treated me in the past.I shrugged
Sarina's POV:The last I heard about Ralph was that the police were holding him in custody.Now, Mariano was here because he believed my life as Bella might be in danger and that my fake husband could be involved in my disappearance as Sarina.As I recalled the memories of my awakening, I looked at Chase, happily playing with Jerome.I smiled, noticing how much he had changed since we arrived in Pearlisia.I was grateful that Maximus, not that beast Ralph, turned out to be Chase's real father. It was also confirmed that the medicine I had unknowingly taken had affected Chase's brain development.Fortunately, as long as he continued his medication and therapy, there was a good chance he would develop normally.I wished for nothing more than the end of this family chaos. I wanted Ralph caught and imprisoned, so he could no longer threaten me or Chase.Most of all, I wanted Maximus' grandmother to find peace with us, so Maximus, my true husband, could finally be happy.I once ask
Sarina's POV:I cried nonstop, sweat, snot, and tears streaming down my face as I shielded Chase with my body. He cried too.I felt Ralph kneel before me, so I curled in tighter to protect our child.I felt his hand on my head and braced for more abuse.To my surprise, he stroked my hair instead and, through his tears, said, "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, babe…"I looked up at him, and our eyes met.I saw remorse, sadness, and pity—maybe for me and our child."I'm really sorry. I don't know what came over me…" He continued, gently lifting my head.I feared he was pretending, that he would suddenly let go or slam my head onto the floor.The thought frightened me, and he noticed it."Please, babe, don't be scared. I'm sorry. This won't happen again," he said.He helped me sit up, and we both turned to look at Chase when he started crying again."I'm sorry, my son, if I scared you," he said, then picked him up.After that, he helped me stand and practically carried me to our b
Sarina's POV:Our life together was going well, and I had grown comfortable with him. I was happy, especially as the time to give birth approached.Ralph took such thorough care of me that he wouldn't let me do anything around the house.Everything would have been perfect, and I wouldn't have worried about a thing, if not for one nagging issue.According to my credentials, I was born in Los Burnham and had even studied there.But if that were true, why did I know how to speak Pearlisian?I didn't consider myself particularly smart or gifted—I believed my abilities were quite ordinary. Because of this, part of me doubted my past.Naturally, I didn't dare ask Ralph about it, afraid he might get upset, so I kept it to myself.I was content, and so was Ralph. He cared for me deeply, though I also sensed his possessiveness. He didn't allow me to go out on my own. I always had to be with him.I didn't really mind, but even when I stayed in the yard and talked to a passing neighbor,
Sarina's POV:I laughed at Maximus. It became clear why he had been so irritated when he saw me with Jason—it was because Jason had been my ex-boyfriend, first love, and childhood sweetheart.I also learned that Jason's family was wealthy, but his parents approved of me, just as my parents had approved of him.I remembered asking Maximus whether my parents disliked him. He had said they probably didn't, adding that they loved me deeply and would always support whatever made me happy.-The next day, Maximus had to leave, so it was just me and Chase at home.I was happy he had someone to play with, Jerome, who had helped a lot in his development.I sat by the poolside, reading while keeping an eye on Chase and Jerome as they played. Lisa had asked her daughter-in-law, Rachel, for help, so I offered to look after the children myself.We had also hired a nanny for Chase, who was supposed to arrive later, according to Aries.Maximus had gone with Mariano to his office, though I kn
Maximus' POV:I couldn't settle down.I had been happy that Sarina remembered something about us, but why had the timing been so off? Why was it that whenever she teased me, I always ended up at her mercy?I knew she hadn't recalled anything about Jason, but I still couldn't help feeling jealous. Even if she couldn't remember Jason, it didn't change the fact that he had been her first love.When she stepped out of our room earlier, I wanted to follow her. Something felt off, even though she had kissed me willingly just moments before.After that, it seemed our way of talking had changed.No, I couldn't let this happen. I wanted the cheerful, teasing Sarina back, even if she did rile me up sometimes.She had been in the bathroom, taking a shower, and I made sure to go first.I didn't want her to go straight to sleep, leaving us no chance to talk. I didn't want the night—or even a single day—to pass with her feeling any resentment toward me, not even a small sulk.I hadn't taken
Sarina's POV:I had just returned from the restroom, leaving Maximus and our son with Chase's pediatrician to hear the doctor's update on our child's development. Now, I was completely certain—Maximus was Chase's father.The joy on his face when Aries handed him the results and some paperwork to complete was beyond what even the greatest artist could capture.As I approached Gerald's office to meet my husband and son, a man suddenly approached me."Hi, Bella, right?" he said.I frowned, trying to recall if I knew him."Oh, you don't remember me? I have a pretty ordinary face, so I can't blame you," he added, scratching the back of his head. "We bumped into each other once when I was out jogging. I think you were on your way to work.""Ah, yes, I remember you now. What was your name again?" I asked, feeling embarrassed for not recalling his name when he clearly remembered mine. Though, 'Bella' hadn't really been my true name."Jason. Jason Castro," he replied."What brought
Maximus' POV:It was a relief Mariano was here. I felt nervous and scared for my wife and child.I immediately called Aries to inform him I couldn't make it to the office for now. If anything urgent came up, I asked him to send it to the condo.I didn't want to leave my wife and son alone, especially with only Lisa there to look after them. If something happened, they wouldn't be able to do much.I also asked Aries to check the hospital's security footage for the man Sarina had mentioned, but he couldn't track him further after leaving his spot.As Mariano wanted, we finally told Sarina everything about Ralph, the man she had once believed was her husband.She was deeply shocked and terrified when Mariano showed her photos of the real wife of that criminal, whose body had been found.The real Bella Drinx's body had been discovered in their backyard in Las Islas. Mariano had never stopped searching for answers regarding Sarina's disappearance, always on the lookout for cases invo
Bella's POV:Mariano joined us back at the condo, and from my observations, it seemed he had something he wanted to discuss—something I couldn't quite figure out.Lisa greeted us. She had become a temporary nanny for Chase, which meant she hadn't been going home.When we moved into the new house Maximus had built, she and her husband would live with us, according to Maximus' wishes."Come on, Mr. Chase. Let's change your clothes," Lisa said, taking Chase from me.My child understood Pearlisian because I spoke it to him whenever the shameless Ralph Drinx wasn’t around—a man who was neither my real husband nor Chase’s father.I headed straight to our bedroom to change into something more comfortable, then rejoined them.Both men sat across from each other on the couch, and I naturally sat beside my husband."Were you discussing something important?" I asked, not taking my eyes off Maximus.I didn't want him to hide anything from me, especially if it involved me or our son."We