GALVIN’S POVI woke up, and the space next to me was empty. I panicked, but then I heard the running water from the shower.I heaved a sigh of relief when the door creaked, then faint footsteps headed toward the walk-in closet.I thought Kristel had already left me.Now that I had sobered up, I could feel my head being hammered. So I remained on the bed and waited for Kristel to make me a hangover soup and bring it over.Kristel made the best hangover soup in the world.I drank heavily during dinner meetings with my business partners until I was brought to the hospital because of severe abdomen pain.Looking forward to the delicious soup, I pretended to be asleep.But I didn’t expect someone would barge into our bedroom and kiss me. When there is no response from me, she sobs.“Galvin, please hear me out.” Fiona lamented.And listening to her wails worsened the discomfort in my head. But when Fiona apologized and swore she would not do such an act in the future, I felt conflicted, and
That morning, Kristel visited her parents since it was the weekend. Her dad always stayed home and accompanied her mom, except for essential gatherings, which the couple attended together.However, the day she married Galvin, she rarely came home, and sometimes her parents would complain.Her parents thought the marriage was simply a business deal; thus, they expected little of this marriage to be harmonious since Galvin never introduced their daughter to the public.What’s important to them is the Hudson matriarch accepts Kristel, and they witness how the older lady is fond of their daughter.Unbeknownst to them, Kristel loved Galvin so dearly that she couldn’t part with him even a day.Even though the marriage had just started with a bet and terms, she didn’t want to miss her chance to make him fall in love with her. Thus, she did her best to become a good wife.“Sweetheart, you’re here!” Eliza was elated upon seeing her daughter entering the door. She met Kristel halfway and hugged
Galvin’s POVIt surprised me when I heard Kristel’s voice. She sounded sweet so suddenly. I wonder if she talked to her ex-boyfriend in the same tone.Having this thought, a burst of hatred spread across my chest.I am trying to figure out what she was up to. She may only pretend to be sweet, but I admit I enjoyed it when she spoke to me with her coquettish tone, and a part of me wished she’d talk to me this way often.Clank!The sound of a pen dropped on the floor snapped me out of my reveries. I looked up, and the panicked faces of my subordinates met my gaze.Just then, I remembered I was currently yelling at a department manager before Kristel made that phone call. My eyes fixed on him, and I could see he was on his wit’s end.My brows furrowed. I’ve forgotten why I am yelling at him and choose not to linger about it anymore.“Sit down.”I dismissed him. Now it shocked everyone when I overlooked his mistakes regarding our new project.‘What’s with their reactions?’ They’d given me
The following morning, Kristel woke up with the urge to use the bathroom. She got out of bed silently and went to the bathroom. Afterward, she quickly took a shower before returning to bed.However, she could no longer nod off. Galvin’s presence overwhelmed her, sleeping soundly next to her.In the passing year, it became her habit to stare at his handsome face. Even Galvin’s profile was so striking that it left her breathless.Marvel with the beauty before her sight, Kristel was dazed. At this moment, she finds comfort in being nestled in Galvin’s arms.Despite her plans to move out, she finds herself stuck in the villa with him. She feels frustrated with herself for holding onto hope and wishes their time together would never end.‘Galvin, why does it have to end? Fiona may not be who you think she is and doesn’t deserve your heart.’‘Galvin, here I am, loving you unconditionally for the rest of my life. There is no man I let touch my body but only you.’Kristel’s sorrows drowned he
A deafening silence ensued throughout the breakfast.Kristel and Galvin were immersed in their thoughts, and no one was in the mood to speak.Galvin only ate half of his omelet and one slice of toasted buttered bread. He also just took a few sips of his coffee since it tasted more bitter than it already was.Kristel, on the other hand, finished her glass of fresh milk, bacon, three toasted buttered bread, and a bowl of vegetable salad.Seeing she was still in the mood to eat after she signed the divorce papers somewhat upset him, and he could not pinpoint why he felt it in the first place when he clearly emphasized the terms in the contract he drafted himself and signed by Kristel before they registered their marriage to the Civil Registrar Office.Their marriage would only last one year unless he fell in love with Kristel. Before he could get an answer to his doubts, Fiona returned.“I’m off to work.”“Hummed. Have a safe drive.”After the simple exchange, Galvin headed to the door i
“Don’t be so sure about that, Kristel. Grandma will accept me soon.”“Grandma isn’t a narrow-minded older lady that you believe, Fiona. I’m sure she could smell how your body reeks with filthiness.”Kristel tugged the corner of her mouth upon saying that. She was delighted to see Fiona’s flustered face after she slapped her with the reality that Gloria was displeased with her.As Fiona remained mum, she didn’t settle on a partial victory but rubbed salt on the latter’s wound.“Oh, you shouldn’t forget Galvin’s parents. The last time they visited Brooke City, Mom Katherine told me I was the daughter-in-law she dreamed of having. Do you want some tips from me on how to please her, Fiona? Unfortunately, my help didn’t come for free.”She knew she was fuming in anger, the way her face was red. Given her character, soon she’ll strike back.‘Show me what you got, Fiona. It was a wonder why Galvin fell in love with you. Probably with your pretentious facade of being a Drama Queen. Too bad, t
“What happened?”Kristel was stunned for a moment. If it weren’t for the scream from the people surrounding her, she would not regain her senses.“Fiona!” she screamed horridly, seeing Fiona lying in her own blood. She sprinted to her side and looked around. “Somebody! Please call an ambulance!”She pleaded for help. She must not let Fiona die. Otherwise, Galvin will hate her for the rest of his life!‘Dammit!’ She doesn’t feel good about this.Kristel reached for Fiona’s wrist. She was slightly relieved that she was still having a pulse. But she was soaking with blood; she didn’t know where it came from.“Hello? Fiona? Why didn’t you speak? What happened?”Galvin heard Fiona scream. But before that, his ear caught her calling Kristel’s name. ‘Is Kristel with her? Why were they together?’Galvin’s head filled with questions that he had no answer to.“Hello? Ga... Galvin...”Kristel sounded from the other line before he could snap out of himself. His face darkened.“Kristel! What happe
BROOKE CITY HOSPITALGalvin sat in an accent chair beside the hospital bed, patiently waiting for Fiona to wake up.It was such a relief that she didn’t have a severe injury but a minor concussion on the head and a few bruises on her legs and arms.Clap!Galvin was snapped out of his reverie when lightning struck the gloomy sky, followed by a clap of roaring thunder.He stood on his feet and walked toward the window to close the curtain. Seeing the heavy rain pouring down surprised him.Peeking outside the window from the top floor, he noticed the street had already flooded.“When did it rain?” Galvin then realized he didn't see Kristel when he went outside earlier to give Cory instructions. “Where is she now?”His face paled as he recalled yelling at her a while ago.Galvin pulled out his phone from his inner coat pocket and texted Cory. Within a half minute, his assistant replied, “One bodyguard saw the missus hail a cab when it started raining.”Galvin clenched his knuckles. ‘Dammi
“Honey…” Galvin knocked on the door at Kristel’s studio.Four years ago, he built an extension building where Kristel could design and make wedding gown samples to distribute here and abroad.After what had happened in France, Kristel’s pregnancy has become difficult. They advised her to take it easy and not risk the baby.Thus, he prohibited her from working. But Kristel was strong-willed. She accepts Henri’s offer of collaboration to work in the historical drama he invested in.Therefore, he purchased a villa near the filming site so that Kristel would not need to leave the house but she could work at home.The drama was successful. It received many awards and was nominated for many TV awards.After five years, they finally reach the final volume of the story. But in these past years, Kristel has also received several offers to design wedding gowns for celebrities and famous public figures.Thus,
Three days later…“Kristel—”“Leila? Is that you?”“Yes, Kristel. How do you feel?”“Why are you here?” She’s trying to figure out where she is.“Silly. I am not just a doctor. I was your best friend and your child’s godmother!”“So we are, too!”At the door, her two friends named Lorraine entered the ward and rushed toward her, circling her bed.“Then my baby was alive.” Kristel caresses her belly. She was relieved that her child was safe. She stifled, then said, “You guys... Am I back in Brooke City now?”“I haven’t permitted you to travel home yet. You need a few more days of rest. Otherwise, you might have a sign of miscarriage.”“Oh, then I’m still in Paris… How about the competition? How many days have I been in a coma?” Kristel looked around. She
“What do you mean by that?” asked Fiona. “Wait, you are…”Fiona hadn’t recognized Henri because he always wore glasses and a black wig when he appeared to the public. But around Kristel, he hides nothing; instead, he casually shows his appearance.“I have long known that you were my cousin’s puppet,” said Henri. “It appears you had no idea of my family’s conflict.”“I don’t care! That doesn’t matter anymore.”Fiona is stubborn. Henri could see that.“You should be careful what you wish for, Fiona.” He grinned, then his smile disappeared as he added, “My patience with you is wearing thin.”Fiona is such a wicked woman. She had done so many tricks to frame Kristel. Fiona would have succeeded if he hadn’t assigned someone to watch over her. And he hates Galvin for how dumb he is. He never approves of him as Kristel&rsqu
“Don’t move! Stay where you are!” the man warned when Henri took a few steps closer. “I said do not move!”The man spoke in a foreign language. But Henri didn’t listen to him. He could understand him and spoke the same language.“Dare to shoot me?” Henri challenges him. Thus, the man was forced to pull the trigger and make a warning shot. He aimed the gun at the ground.Kristel sank her body and hid behind Galvin when the loud bang from a handgun echoed. She subconsciously placed her arms around her belly—her way of protecting the child in her womb.The man couldn’t dare to aim the handgun at Henri.“Mr. Laurent, please move aside.”“My cousin sent you here, right?”“Sir, you don’t want to be involved in this incident.”Henri sneers. “You almost killed me!”“Sir, we didn’t know you were here as we
Kristel cannot jump from the second floor down to the first floor. She would not think twice about doing that if she weren’t pregnant. However, she doesn’t want to harm the fetus in her belly.“Henri, I won’t jump!”“Don’t worry, Kristel. We don’t need to do that.”“But who are we supposed to get down—” Kristel coughed after inhaling the smoke from the door. The fire is slowly coming into the bedroom. Seeing this, Kristel was in fright. “Henri!”“Calm down, Kristel, and just cover your nose, okay? I’ll go down first, then jump when I’m on the ground.”“What?”“I’ll catch you.”“No!” She doubted Henri’s strength. Although he is pretty fit for a designer, she worries she is too heavy now. It will be difficult for Henri to keep her from the ground.“Trust me, Kristel!&rdq
Somewhere in the province of France…The following day, Kristel worked on her entry. She finished drafting her designs; now, she is sewing the white gown.It didn’t take long for her to finish working on the upper dress. She followed to work on the skirt using floral embroidery lace fabric when a car pulled over at the entrance.Kristel took only a little care of who it was. She need not be concerned if it was the chauffeur Galvin sent for her. The chauffeur can wait until she finishes and returns to Paris.She was immersed in drafting the veil, inspired by the flowers and leaves she picked out in the meadow. Hence, she didn’t hear the door creak when someone pushed it open.“Hello, Miss Pearson.”Kristel looked up and distinguished the person who came into her bedroom.“You are…” Her eyes widened upon recognizing the man. “Mr. Laurent!”“I’m here not to
Fiona’s mouth agape. For a moment, she stared at her phone screen blankly. She already posted the photos she snapped of her and Galvin. Thus, she was debating whether to delete it before everyone saw it.But with the wicked thought brewing in her head, she just let it become public, hoping it would reach Kristel; thus, she would think Galvin chose her.Therefore, she must stop the illusion of getting back together with him.“Galvin...”“I said I am driving Fiona.”There’s firmness in his voice this time. Fiona’s persistence somehow disgusts him.On the contrary, it didn’t make Fiona happy when he kept rejecting her attempts to seduce him. Even so, the woman fails to notice his disgust.“You can continue driving while I can give you a head... How’s that?”Fiona smiled sweetly, ignoring the warning in Galvin’s tone.Galvin, on the other hand, felt disg
“Galvin, what is the meaning of this?”The person, none other than Fiona, asked with tears in her eyes and an accusing tone. Galvin was taken aback for a moment but then heaved a long sigh.Kristel, who heard this, looked at the man with anticipation of his reply to Fiona. She tried to read the emotion flashing in his eyes but could not fathom it.She honestly hoped that Galvin would choose her. She still has this stupid desire in her heart, thinking she can love Galvin more than Fiona, who does nothing but betray him.Fiona has never been faithful to Galvin. All Fiona did is to become the center of attention. And because she is the most popular girl in the Academy, it is a man’s pride to have such a girl by his side, and Galvin is the most outstanding male student in that same school.Everyone would tell them how perfect a couple they were and the two were a match made in heaven.Every male and female had that jealousy in
Kristel placed her hand on Galvin’s broad chest, pushing him to no avail.Instead, Galvin gathered her wrists and pinned them above her head. He used his body to prevent her from struggling. Despite the difference in their strength, Kristel put up a fight. However, he didn’t let her free from his grasp.“Galvin!” Kristel screamed. Feeling conflicted, she couldn’t control the beat in her heart when Galvin’s lips brushed her ear and the side of her face while his hands explored her body. “What are you doing? Let me go! Hmmm…”All the words that formed in her tongue could not be expressed but disappeared without a trace under his passionate kiss.His lips are like wine, intoxicating and addicting, while he thinks of hers like honey: sweet and delicious. He wants more. He wants to devour her right there, at that very moment.She felt like he was sucking her strength. He didn’t allow her to pr