>>FOUR YEARS LATER
Seated comfortably in a plush swivel chair, a man exuded a cold aura as continued to gaze at the photo in his hand. His emerald orbs remained fixed on it as he felt his heart prick him painfully, taking in the features of the lady in the picture. She was a young woman with long auburn hair that perfectly complemented her hazel eyes. Her genuine smile radiating through the picture filled the man's heart with warmth. He missed her. He missed the woman in the photo terribly. This man was no other person than Jordan Salvador, and the woman in the picture was no other than his beautiful ex-wife, Alexander McKenna. Jordan continued gazing at the picture regretfully as he felt as though his heart was being stabbed with a sharp knife, replaying the wrong deeds he had done Alexa four years ago. He regretted everything. He wished he could turn back the hands of the clock and prevent it all from happening in the first place. Though he had been searching all over the country for Alexa for the past two years, he still hadn't received any positive feedback. It was as if Alexa had disappeared into thin air. Every day and night, Jordan's callous actions plagued him each time he recalled how badly he treated Alexa, especially when he had abandoned her at the hospital after the painful loss, to marry his childhood sweetheart, Luciana. Jordan realized he should never have done that. Luciana was nothing other than a liar and a gold digger who invaded his life for her own motives. Jordan regretted ever trusting her words in the first place, especially when she had acclaimed her bastard child as his. He felt his heart clenched tight, recalling Luciana's deceit. Although he had only divorced Luciana two weeks ago after he discovered the truth, Jordan wished he had punished her some more. Luciana was the sole author of his current misery. He never would've changed his behavior towards his lovely wife had it been Luciana never come back into his life. Jordan deeply regretted his mistakes. It pained him even more as he had no idea where Alexa was or how she had been coping all these years. All he ever wished for was to find her again and apologize for his stupid mistakes. The sound of Jordan's telephone on the desk disrupted his thoughts, causing him to instinctively pocket the photo in his suit pocket as he made to answer the phone. Bringing the phone to his ear, he spoke. "Jordan Salvador," "Boss," The desperate voice of a male came through the phone, causing Jordan's nerves to fray in anticipation as he recognized the voice of his aid. "Kris. What's up? How did it go?" He asked desperately, hoping for some optimistic response from him concerning the search for Alexa. "I regret to inform you, boss. But it's another .. end. We couldn't find her in Puwak City too. We're on our way back, boss. I'm very sorry. We just have one more place to cover before it clocks twenty cities that we've looked in so far." Jordan felt his heart plummet into his stomach as he clutched the telephone tightly, disappointment and heartbreak coursing through him. Not having anything to say, he hung up, setting the phone back in its position. Jordan brought his hands to his head and held it firmly. 'What have you done to yourself, Jordan? What gave you the hope that you'd ever find her again after what you did to her? Perhaps, this is her punishing you.' Jordan heard his inner voice scold him and he couldn't help but agree. However, if truly this was Alexa punishing him for his betrayal, it was working just fine. As Jordan made to rise, his office door flung open unexpectedly. His cold eyes darted towards the entrance to see who had dared to walk into his office without his consent. He remained seated as he witnessed two men, clad in police uniforms walk inside. This brought a frown to Jordan's face as he couldn't comprehend what was going on. The two men approached Jordan's desk; in one hand, there was a sheet of paper. "Mr. Salvador," "What the fuck is going on? What do you think you're doing barging into my office like that?" Jordan snapped, his annoyance palpable. One of the officers apologized. "Forgive us, Mr. Salvador. But we have a warrant for your arrest." Jordan's brows scrunched up in further confusion. Had he just heard the man correctly? "Mr. Salvador, please cooperate," The officer uttered, interrupting Jordan's conflicting and confused thoughts. Jordan's eyes darted to his in demand. "I don't understand. What do you mean by arrest? What are you talking about?" Wordlessly, the man extended his hand toward Jordan and offered him the note. Jordan quickly snatched it from him, his eyes skimming through his context. Shock washed over Jordan as he couldn't believe his eyes. He couldn't believe the crime he was being accused of. Jordan redirected his gaze to the officer. "What do you mean I have been charged for the embezzlement of my own company's funds?" The bulky officer replied as he prompted the other to go handcuff Jordan. "Please, you'll have to come to the station with us, Mr. Salvador. You have the right to remain silent or anything you say will be used against you in the court of law. You also have the right to an attorney," the second officer said, standing before Jordan as he took his hands. Though Jordan was shocked, to say the least, he decided to heed their words and allowed the officer to cuff him. A few minutes later, the two officers and the newly arrested were walking outside. The paparazzi were there as they captured Jordan's arrest, throwing inquiries at him as to why this had happened. "CEO Salvador, can you tell us your crime?" Jordan answered the public before getting into the Police van. "I have committed no crime, be rest assured. I'm sure this is some kind of misunderstanding. It would get sorted out soon." He reassured, hopping into the back seat of the van."Darling, when are you going to divorce her? Now that I'm here, I can't bear the thought of sharing you with any other woman, talk more of living under the same roof with her." Alexa halted in her tracks as she caught the sultry and familiar tone of a woman's voice echoing through the walls of her matrimonial bedroom. She remained fazed as she stood outside the door, questioning if she had truly heard what she thought she had. Her skepticism dissipated when the velvety voice of her beloved husband, filled with reassurance and tenderness, followed in response to the other woman."Come on, sweetheart, you know Alexa is still pregnant with my child. I've told you before that once she gives birth, I'll divorce her and send her away, I promise."And in that moment, it dawned on Alexa that she was truly the subject of their conversation. WTF!She remained momentarily frozen to the spot, her mind spinning with conflicting thoughts as she was struck dumb with disbelief and confusion. She cou
Oh... you didn’t know." Ivy chimed in as she noticed Alexa's pale and bewildered expression. She snickered. "Clueless idiot."Catherine and Ivy erupted in laughter."You're just a naive fool now, aren’t you?" Ivy asked rhetorically, shaking her head.Alexa felt her heart shatter, a painful constriction tightening within her chest. How could she have been so oblivious? The realization stung, and she could no longer suppress the tears that welled in her eyes, leading her to sob uncontrollably. She couldn't believe any of this was truly happening to her. What had she done to deserve this?"You know what would be best for everyone now?" Ivy started coldly, ignoring Alexa's emotional state. "You should leave this house and never return. Nobody wants you here. You can go back to your wretched family abroad. Oh, wait... They disowned you, didn’t they? Ha!" Ivy chuckled mockingly, and Catherine smirked, her menacing eyes fixed on Alexa."My family is not wretched," Alexa defended amidst tears
This is unacceptable, Alexander. Your father and I do not support your decision! You cannot marry that man!" 'You are marrying Jordan Salvador? The cold-hearted son of the callous Salvador family? Oh my.''He will break your heart, Alexa. Please, don't do this.''Alexa, do not proceed with this marriage!''You're seriously quitting your job because of him too? You're a finished woman.''I, Gregory McKenna, hereby disown and reject you, Alexander, as the heir to the McKenna fortune and as my daughter.' 'And I, simply Alexander, accept your rejection.''The only reason I haven't divorced you yet is because of the child you're carrying inside of you.'...Alexa's eyes fluttered open slightly as the disjointed echoes of her past disrupted her sleep and gradually pulled her back to consciousness. She blinked weakly, remaining still on the bed as she struggled to gather her thoughts, squinting at the unfamiliar, pristine white ceiling above her. As memories of recent events replayed in h
Baby, now she's out of our lives for good, I am so elated. We can finally get married, Jordan." Luciana exclaimed, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she gently caressed Jordan's cheek, staring into his troubled emerald orbs. Despite Jordan's efforts to mask his unease, Luciana could see the worry behind the faint smile he wore. Nevertheless, she felt unconcerned; Jordan was sorely hers now. That was all she cared about. Jordan merely murmured a response to Luciana as his mind was consumed with several thoughts and emotions. For some reason, he couldn't comprehend the guilt pangs that tugged at his heartstrings each time he acknowledged that Alexa was truly gone. He didn't know where she had gone to or where she was, but it had been weeks since he last saw her. And that was the day she had left home and suffered a miscarriage in the hospital. He had wanted to..."Jordan!" Luciana's firm voice cut through his reverie, pulling his dazed gaze back to her. She frowned when their eye