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Chapter 70
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Contract and Marriage Chapter 71
Maximus' POV:All our efforts were in vain. Everything we did felt pointless because we couldn't find Sarina.I had no idea where she was or who had taken her.The man with the fingerprint on the sleeping pill bottle that Mariano's group found knew nothing either. But one thing was certain: the pill had been used on my wife.I nearly killed the man with my bare hands when I learned why Mariano had taken him.If it hadn't been for my brother and his two men restraining me, I might have.Like a melting candle, they subdued me completely, bringing me to my knees and allowing my tears to flow.I no longer cared about the insults they hurled at me or what they thought of me. All that mattered was where Sarina was and whether she was safe.-Weeks passed, and I still hadn't returned to Pearlisia.I couldn't bear the thought of Sarina disappearing without me being there. I wanted to be present when she returned and didn't want someone else to see her first. "Mr. Salonga, you need
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Maximus's POV:"Are you throwing me out of your house?" I asked, causing his eyebrows to furrow."You know that's not what I mean," Mariano quickly replied."If not, then let me stay here.""You have business to attend to, Max. People are relying on your company.""I have no obligation to them, but I do to my wife," I retorted."I'm not telling you to stop the search. You can continue without compromising the company your parents worked hard to build," he said, his eyes never leaving me.I could tell he felt sorry for me, though he didn't show it. "I'm already doing it. You don't need to worry about that.""It's different when you're here," he said. "I promise I won't stop searching for Sarina unless you tell me to, and I'll keep you updated regularly."I stopped sobbing at his words, though irritation stirred inside me. "Just tell me if you don't want me here, Mariano."His face tightened with anger. "Maximus!"I should have been scared, but I was more afraid of never seein
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 73
Maximus' POV:"What kind of work is this?" I demanded, tossing aside the architecture team's recommended designs.They all furrowed their brows, visibly alarmed."Mr. Salonga, they've been working nonstop on these designs for two weeks," Aries interjected, which only fueled my frustration."And what do you want to produce there? Is it the fault of their worthless designs?" I snapped, to which he quickly nodded."Why don't we stop for a moment and take a break?" he suggested.I took a deep breath, then nodded.Aries turned to the architecture team. He was the only one I couldn't scold too harshly, though at times my temper got the best of me. I was grateful that he always understood."You can go ahead and take a break," he said.The team exchanged glances and followed his instructions, leaving the meeting room.I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes, and gently massaged my temples. I could still feel Aries' gaze, so I opened my eyes again. "If you're tired, Mr. Salonga, y
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 74
Maximus' POV:Mariano just stared at me without responding. Even the police officer remained silent, merely handing me an envelope.What was inside? Why had Mariano grown so secretive now?"That's a copy of all the results," the officer finally said."Is it possible for you to continue your investigation until you find out what happened?" Mariano pressed.My anxiety deepened into fear and unease. "Can you answer me? Who is she? Who is the woman you're talking about?"What if they were referring to Sarina?I suddenly realized Mariano wouldn't need me here if this was related to his group's dealings, which we had been sent to investigate.But it was clear I was involved, and his silence only fueled my frustration."Shut up, Maximus. I'm trying to negotiate here," Mariano snapped, turning back to the confused officer.Maybe the officer was wondering why I was acting this way."Please, officer. Don't stop the investigation unless you find the body. Don't draw conclusions based o
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 75
Maximus' POV:Three months after I read those files, I returned to Pearlisia.The police investigation still had no results, even though a year and a half had passed. It had been two years since I last saw my wife, and the pain was still fresh.Mariano and my friends called often, perhaps hoping to cheer me up, but nothing ever changed.Six months ago, Mariano visited, and we spent the entire day together. He had spoken earnestly, telling me it was too vague to still be holding on to hope for Sarina.I had been angry then because I knew he had a point.The hope I had been clinging to—the hope that had kept me strong—completely disappeared.My brother accompanied me, and I could once again see the worry on my grandmother's face. I watched her cry, terrified of my condition—after all, I had tried to take my own life.I couldn't face my parents-in-law. I didn't know how to ease their hearts when I couldn't even ease my own, especially knowing how much they had loved my wife.And
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Maximus' POV:"What did you say?" I asked again."You heard me right, Max," Mariano replied."And? What about Sarina?" It seemed like my questions for her would never end."Nothing, Max."From the very beginning, Mariano had been helping me find Sarina. Our prime suspect was Ronald, so we hadn't stopped tracking his activities.Then my brother told me that he was gone—that he was dead—and there was nothing more to obtain, not even a scrap of information about where my wife was or how she was doing."No! How can you say that?" I asked angrily."We can't do anything about it, Max," he said.What was I supposed to do—just accept everything like that?No! Sarina loved me—she would come back to me!According to the police files, she seemed to have escaped from her kidnappers. Her blood couldn't have been spilled in Los Burnham unless something terrible had happened—unless she'd been run over.No, that couldn't be. My wife didn't deserve such a cruel ending."Don't stop trying,
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 77
Maximus' POV:"Find me a good secretary, Aries!" I shouted at my assistant.One secretary after another resigned, and the few who replaced them didn't last long. They couldn't handle my temper, no matter how much Aries tried to placate them.The two secretaries I had in Las Islas had left as well, having endured too much of my anger.It had been a year since the Las Islas police confirmed Sarina's death. For months, I had been trapped in my own world, unwilling to speak to anyone.Then, one day, I woke up and resumed working.However, that was all. I simply returned to my usual routine. Occasionally, I tried to find solace with other women but couldn't feel anything."HR has already posted the job openings, Mr. Salonga. Interviews are scheduled as well," Aries said.I nodded, and he informed me that I would be the one conducting the interviews in my office. "There are three applicants for interviews at 3:00 p.m.""Okay," I replied, then dismissed him.Maybe if we didn't treat
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 78
Maximus' POV:"I already told you that I'm not ready for another relationship." I was angry and made sure they saw it on my face."You don't have to worry, Maximus. Miranda is very understanding, and I'm sure she would be a big help to you," Arturo retorted.I looked at him, and he met my gaze."Does Miranda know how to cook?" I asked, causing Miranda's smile to fade.Meanwhile, Arturo actually said, "Uh, no, but you can hire a maid. Come on, Maximus, you need a wife, not a maid.""Can she clean the house? Do the laundry? Wash the dishes? Clean the toilet?" I continued asking, and Arturo simply dismissed my sudden glare."Sweetie," my grandmother gently reproached me."My wife knows how to do those things. Even if she's not a doctor, she can ease my pain. She massages me whenever I'm tired from work, and most of all, she hates shopping and traveling. Can Miranda do that?" I questioned my grandmother and Arturo.I then turned to Miranda, asking her face-to-face, "Can you do tha
Last Updated : 2024-12-18
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Contract and Marriage Chapter 110
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
Contract and Marriage Chapter 109
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
Contract and Marriage Chapter 108
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
Contract and Marriage Chapter 107
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,
Contract and Marriage Chapter 106
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
Contract and Marriage Chapter 105
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
Contract and Marriage Chapter 104
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
Contract and Marriage Chapter 103
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
Contract and Marriage Chapter 102
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
