As Carina stepped outside with Martins, she felt a mix of relief and anguish swirling inside her. She tried to compose herself, but the weight of her family's rejection was too much to bear.Martins glanced over at her, concern etched in his features. "Are you okay, Carina?" he asked softly, his voice filled with empathy.Carina nodded, but as she opened her mouth to speak, the floodgates burst open, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm so embarrassed," she sobbed, her words barely coherent. "I can't believe you had to see how much they hate me."Martins reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay to cry, Carina," he said softly. "Sometimes it's the only way to let go of all the pain."Carina choked back a sob, her chest heaving with emotion. "I just don't understand why they treat me like this," she whispered, her voice trembling with hurt.Martins furrowed his brow, his eyes reflecting her pain. "Have you ever considered the fact that you might not be their
As Martins turned the car in a different direction, Carina's curiosity piqued. "Where are we going?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.Martins simply smiled mysteriously, offering no explanation as he pulled up in front of an upscale boutique. "Get out," he instructed gently, gesturing towards the boutique.Carina hesitated, unsure of what Martins had in mind. "Why are we here?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.Martins shrugged nonchalantly. "I noticed you've been wearing the same dress," he remarked casually, earning a sniff from Carina as she self-consciously checked herself.Before Carina could protest, Martins continued, "I'm not saying you smell," he chuckled, seeing her reaction. "But I thought you might like to freshen up your wardrobe a bit."Carina's eyes widened in disbelief. "You want to buy me clothes?" she asked incredulously, unable to comprehend Martins' generosity.Martins simply nodded, his expression sincere. "I want to treat you," he explained,
As Martins pulled up in front of Madam Katie's mansion, a wave of nervousness washed over me. I turned to Martins, my voice tinged with curiosity. "How did you know which house it was?" I asked, but Martins remained silent, his expression unreadable.As I moved to get out of the car, Martins surprised me by stepping out as well. Before I could protest, he enveloped me in a warm hug. I stiffened at first, caught off guard by his sudden display of affection, but soon I found myself melting into his embrace. It felt comforting, reassuring, amidst the uncertainty swirling around me."Be strong, Carina," Martins murmured, his voice gentle but firm. "You're capable of more than you realize."His words struck a chord within me, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions. "Why do you sound like you're saying goodbye?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to voice my fears aloud.Martins pulled away slightly, his gaze meeting mine. "You won't understand," he replied cryptically, his
As Madam Katie noticed the bags and new phone pack sitting in the corner, her eyes widened with surprise. "Carina, dear, where did you get all these things?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.I hesitated for a moment before replying, "Oh, those... Martins got them for me."A smile tugged at Madam Katie's lips, and I couldn't help but feel intrigued by her reaction. "Martins, you say?" she repeated, her tone thoughtful.I nodded, wondering if she knew more about Martins than she let on. "Yes, he insisted on buying them for me," I explained, still feeling a bit bewildered by his sudden generosity.Madam Katie chuckled softly. "Well, isn't that kind of him," she remarked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.Curiosity getting the better of me, I couldn't help but ask, "Do you know Martins, Madam Katie?"She smiled knowingly, her expression enigmatic. "Let's just say I'm familiar with him," she replied cryptically.I furrowed my brow in confusion. "What do you mean by that?" I pressed, ea
As Carina remained with Madam Katie, Martins paid her a surprise visit. Madam Katie couldn't help but notice the bruise on his face, prompting her to inquire if he had been in a fight. Initially, Martins brushed off the question, but under Madam Katie's persistent gaze, he relented."I went to Luke's house," Martins confessed, his voice tight with tension.Madam Katie's expression softened with understanding. "Because of Carina?" she ventured, her voice gentle yet probing.Martins nodded, his jaw set with determination. "Luke wouldn't stop insulting her, calling her names," he explained, his frustration evident.A heavy sigh escaped Madam Katie's lips as she absorbed Martins's words. "And what do you feel for Carina, Martins? Is it pity?" she asked, her eyes searching his face for the truth.Martins hesitated, his brows furrowing in thought. "I... I'm not sure," he admitted finally, his voice tinged with uncertainty.Madam Katie regarded him with a knowing look before changing the sub
Madam Katie sat behind her desk in her office, her brows furrowed in concentration as she reviewed some documents. The door creaked open, and she looked up to see Madam Claire, Luke's mother, entering with a confident stride.Madam Katie's expression remained neutral as Madam Claire approached her desk. "What brings you here, Claire?" she asked, her tone polite but guarded.Madam Claire flashed a charming smile, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I've been trying to get you to sign a business deal with me, Katie," she said smoothly. "But it seems you've been avoiding me."Madam Katie sighed inwardly, already anticipating where this conversation was heading. "I'm sorry, Claire, but I'm not interested in any business deals at the moment," she replied calmly.Undeterred, Madam Claire pressed on, her persistence evident. "I understand, Katie, but I wanted to invite you to an event I'm hosting next week," she said, her tone hopeful.Madam Katie raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued d
Madam Katie sat behind her desk, a thoughtful expression adorning her features as she awaited Martins' arrival. When he entered the room, she motioned for him to take a seat, her eyes fixed on him intently."Martins, I need to discuss something important with you," she began, her tone serious.Martins nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Of course, Madam Katie. What's on your mind?" he inquired, his brow furrowed with concern.Madam Katie wasted no time in divulging the details of her encounter with Claire earlier that day, outlining her suspicions and her plan to use it as a test for Carina. Martins listened intently, his mind whirring with possibilities."So, you believe that Claire's invitation is a trap?" Martins questioned, his brow furrowing with concern.Madam Katie nodded, her expression grave. "Yes, I do," she confirmed, her voice laced with certainty. "And I intend to use it as an opportunity to gauge Carina's readiness to confront her past."Martins pondered her words for a momen
I was in my room, focusing on my online application, when my phone buzzed with an incoming call from an unknown number. I hesitated for a moment, recognizing it as Luke's, but eventually decided to ignore it. However, he kept calling persistently, refusing to give up. With a sigh, I finally answered, steeling myself for whatever he had to say."Hello?" I said, my voice guarded.There was a moment of silence on the other end before Luke spoke, his tone surprisingly calm. It caught me off guard, considering our past interactions. He didn't waste any time with small talk, immediately launching into an apology."Carina, I'm sorry," he began, his words tentative yet earnest. "I know I've hurt you, and I regret it deeply."I listened in disbelief, not expecting such a remorseful tone from him. For a moment, I was speechless, unsure of how to respond to his unexpected apology. But then, he mentioned Leah, my sweet daughter, and my heart softened despite my reservations."Leah wants to see yo
Dear Diary It’s been three years since everything changed. Sometimes I still marvel at how quickly life can transform from chaos to calm, from pain to peace. I’m sitting in my room now, surrounded by the comforting hum of everyday life, and I feel compelled to capture this moment, to reflect on how far we’ve come, Everyday I wonder if it's a dream but I don't think I want to ever wake up from this dream,I am finally happy, Over the years things have changed but let me take you on the ride. Martins and I are happily married,Ohh and our wedding was the talk of the town, Every day with him feels like a blessing. We have twins now, A beautiful girl and a boy, Their laughter fills our home, and watching them grow has been one of the greatest joys of my life, Leah won't stop thanking us for giving her siblings, She has settled into junior high school remarkably well. She’s blossomed into a bright, confident young woman, and I couldn’t be prouder, The stigma that her father was a murder
I felt a surge of excitement that I couldn’t contain. I wanted to share the incredible news about our engagement with the people who had supported me throughout this journey. Without hesitation, I reached for my phone and dialed Madam Katie’s number.“Hello?” Madam Katie’s warm voice greeted me.“Madam Katie! It’s Carina,” I said, barely able to keep the excitement out of my voice. “I have some wonderful news to share with you!”“Oh, Carina! What’s going on?” she asked, her tone immediately brightening.“I’m engaged!” I blurted out. “Martins proposed to me tonight here in Jeju, and I said yes!”There was a brief pause before Madam Katie’s delighted gasp came through the line. “Oh, Carina, that’s wonderful! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you both.”“Thank you! I wish you could have been here to celebrate with us,” I said, my voice filled with happiness. “We had a perfect evening. The setting was beautiful, and the proposal was just as magical as I’d hoped it would be.”“I’m sure it
Martins and I had spent a perfect week exploring the island, soaking in its natural beauty, and trying out new experiences. Today was our last day, and I couldn’t believe how quickly the time had flown by. I’d been recording every moment for a special video, capturing the highlights of our trip.After finishing up my latest video segment about our visit to a stunning waterfall, I was excited to see what Martins had planned for our final evening. He had hinted at a surprise, and the anticipation made my heart race.As we walked back to our accommodation, Martins was unusually quiet, his gaze occasionally shifting to me with a secretive smile. I couldn’t help but wonder what he had in store. When we reached our place, he helped me get ready, making sure I looked my best for whatever the evening had in store.A private car soon arrived to take us to a special restaurant Martins had booked. The ride through the picturesque streets of Jeju felt almost surreal, with the soft evening light c
Carina and Martins prepared for their much-anticipated trip to Jeju Island, the air was filled with a mix of excitement and relief. They had dropped Leah off with Mandy, who was more than happy to look after her. Carina had managed to give Leah a quick hug and a few reassuring words before they left. The bittersweet feeling of leaving Leah behind was softened by the knowledge that she was in good hands. Mandy and Leah stood at the airport, waving goodbye as Carina and Martins made their way to the boarding gate.The airport was bustling with activity, but Carina felt a sense of calm wash over her as they approached the gate. She and Martins had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. It was their chance to unwind and escape the chaos that had dominated their lives recently.As they boarded the plane, Carina felt a flutter of anticipation. She and Martins settled into their seats, and Carina glanced around the cabin, noting the comforting familiarity of their private space. The pl
yMartins had sent a message about a special trip we were taking together to Jeju Island. I couldn’t wait to escape, even if just for a little while. As I approached the front door, I could already feel the excitement bubbling up inside me.Martins greeted me with a warm hug as soon as I walked in. His eyes sparkled with genuine happiness, something I hadn’t seen in a long time. “You made it! I was starting to think you might change your mind.”“Never,” I said, smiling up at him. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”We shared a soft kiss, and it was like the world outside ceased to exist. All the trials and tribulations seemed to vanish for that moment, and it was just the two of us. Martins took my hand and led me to the living room where soft music played in the background. He had set up a cozy space for us to unwind. There was a bottle of wine chilling in a bucket, and he poured us each a glass as we settled into a slow dance.The music was soft, almost ethereal, and as we swayed
The gala party incident had become the talk of the town. Social media buzzed with clips of the shocking revelations and the dramatic arrests of Luke, Claire, and Nelly. News outlets dissected every detail, and the public eagerly awaited the legal proceedings. Carina's bravery in exposing her tormentors was widely praised, but now, the focus shifted to the consequences for those who had wronged her.Claire was the first to be investigated. She sat in the interrogation room, her face a mask of defiance. Despite the overwhelming evidence against her, she maintained her silence."Mrs. Grant, we have substantial evidence against you," the lead detective said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Your best option is to cooperate."Claire’s lawyer, a sharp-eyed man in a tailored suit, leaned forward. "Claire, listen to me. The evidence is irrefutable. If you plead guilty and cooperate, we might be able to negotiate a lighter sentence."Claire’s eyes flashed with anger and fear. She looked at her l
I woke up on the morning of the gala with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. Today was the day we would finally expose Luke, Nelly, and Claire for their crimes. But first, I had to make sure Leah was safe. Mandy and I drove to her niece’s house, where Leah would stay for the night. Mandy’s niece was a sweet, responsible young woman who adored Leah, and I felt confident she was in good hands. “Thank you so much for taking care of her,” I said to Mandy’s niece as I hugged Leah goodbye. “Of course, Carina. She’ll be safe with me,” she assured me with a warm smile. Leaving Leah behind, I drove to the event hall where the gala would be held. The place was a hive of activity, with people bustling around, setting up decorations, arranging seating, and checking sound equipment. Everything had to be perfect for tonight. I walked around, ensuring that all the preparations were on track. Satisfied with the progress, I headed back home where my fashion designer was waiting for me.
I sat in Madam Katie’s cozy living room, the weight of anticipation heavy in the air. Mandy, Martins, and Madam Katie were with me, all of us gathered to watch the video that Miguel had sent. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the screen in front of us. My heart pounded in my chest as I pressed play, and the recording started.Miguel's face appeared on the screen, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and determination. He began to speak, detailing his involvement in Luke’s dirty dealings, Nelly’s scheming, and Claire’s cold-blooded actions. As the video played, the room grew eerily silent, each of us hanging on every word.When the video ended, I looked around at the others. Mandy’s face was pale, her eyes wide with shock. Martins sat with his head in his hands, and Madam Katie had a look of grim determination.Martins was the first to break the silence. “I can’t believe it. My own sister... she killed her husband.” He looked up, his eyes meeting mine. “She acted so de
Carlos felt a strange mix of satisfaction as he walked into the headquarters of the Mexico police. After days of meticulous planning and gathering evidence, he was finally ready to bring Miguel down. The evidence he had collected was damning, enough to put Miguel away for life and bring justice for all his victims. Carlos handed over a thick file to the lead investigator, a stern-faced woman named Inspector Rodriguez."We've been looking for Miguel for a long time," Inspector Rodriguez said, flipping through the documents. "This is exactly what we needed."Carlos nodded. "I'm ready to play my part. I have been undercover as Miguel's right-hand man for some time now. I can lead him right into your trap."Inspector Rodriguez looked at Carlos with a mix of admiration and concern. "You know the risks, Carlos. If Miguel suspects anything, you're a dead man."Carlos's jaw tightened. "I know. But this is the only way to bring him down."The next day, Carlos slipped back into his undercover