Claire’s
My breath hitched as he pulled me close, his warm breath fanning my face. I could smell a mix of alcohol and cigarettes on his breath, making my stomach churn. The closeness of our bodies sent shivers down my spine. His warm hand on my waist felt incredible. “Have you thought about it?” he asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, fixed on mine. He was asking me to cheat with him, and damn it, I was actually considering it. The idea was incredibly exciting! “Seb,” I whispered, trying to pull away, but his grip tightened. I felt breathless, dizzy from the closeness of our faces. He pulled me closer, settling me on his lap. I was so surprised by his sudden move, I just let him do it. The sensations were too much to resist, and my body was definitely enjoying the closeness. But a part of me was screaming at me. This is so wrong! My mind was screaming at me, but I wanted to follow the tiI quietly watched from the car window the grassy roadside we were passing through. Since earlier, we had only passed a few vehicles, and the road ahead seemed endless, as if it led to nowhere. This is the kind of place I liked—far from the dusty air of the city. Peaceful, and it truly lightens the mood. I could feel the cold breeze brushing against my skin even though it was already noon and the sun was blazing. Maybe it was because of the abundance of trees surrounding the area. A typical scene in an isolated place. This is what I need right now—far from my stressful family and the prying, judgmental eyes of people.“We’ll stop at some local store to buy food,” Sebastian said.I nodded without looking at him. I just kept my eyes fixed outside the window. I wasn’t in the mood to talk, not even to him.I didn’t force him to come with me here. In fact, I insisted on going alone, but he was more stubborn than I am. I just wanted to be alone, to think clearly. I wanted an exit. An esc
I let out a heavy breath as I stared at the woman hopelessly looking back at me in the mirror. The thick makeup designed for this occasion and the crystal beads adorning my hair weren’t enough to hide the sadness in my eyes. If my sister were still alive, I wouldn’t be the one in this situation. It should be her sitting in this hotel room. She should be the one dressed up for this occasion—not me. But what can I do?Another sigh escaped my lips. I signed up for this, and I should take responsibility. I forced a smile even though my head ached from all the thinking. My practiced smile, the one I always wear in front of a crowd, was now reflected back at me. The smile everyone believed was real—but it was anything but. I can do this.My gaze shifted to the door when someone knocked, and one of my cousins, Evany, entered. She gave me an unsure smile.“Are you okay? Auntie’s asking if you’re ready,” she asked.Her eyes spoke a thousand unspoken words. She walked over, fixed the tiara rest
I stared blankly into space while twirling the pen in my hand. I’d been out of it for a while now, replaying everything that happened earlier this morning while I was preparing breakfast. As usual, my husband was on another out-of-town business trip and wouldn’t be home until next week.Being the wife of the CEO of one of the wealthiest companies, I expected all of this. I had no problem with him constantly being busy with work—I understood it, and I had my own business, so I didn’t get bored easily. I was used to being alone at home with just the maids, and I was fine with it—until yesterday. Sebastian suddenly showed up at our doorstep last night, grinning like a Cheshire cat, and announced that he’d be staying here for an indefinite period—and that Niu couldn’t do anything about it.They were the Altamiranos. They owned several houses in the city—not to mention all the condos and townhouses. They were filthy rich, and I didn’t understand why he had to crash at our place like some h
Flashback“Which do you prefer?” I asked Niu. He was usually the one who picked his ties, but today I made an effort to appear just a little interested in him—even if I was annoyed with him last night. Our relationship was a bit complicated. Being his wife had its pros and cons. As the CEO and successor of the empire, he was expected to sire an heir. He asked for it, his parents did too—but I really couldn’t bring myself to do it. And ever since I refused him, he changed.He looked at the ties I was holding and raised an eyebrow at me. Maybe he was confused why I was suddenly attending to his needs like a devoted wife. I cringed at the thought.“The blue one,” he answered. He went back to his work and I let him be. He said he was going out of town again for a project presentation in Hong Kong and would be gone for a week.“I’ll be in the kitchen,” I said to him before walking off. I glanced at the clock mounted on the wall—it was already past eight in the morning. I remembered Sebasti
I stared at Sebastian’s hand resting on Stanford’s small waist, and for the first time, I felt a slight sting over something that wasn’t even supposed to hurt. This feeling was so new to me—and I hated it. I knew exactly what it was. I was jealous of her.And I shouldn’t be. Not over Niu’s brother, who was practically like a brother to me, too.I looked away and turned my gaze to Stanford’s face. I think this was the first time I ever felt annoyed by her. She was one of our best clients because she was obsessed with fine jewelry. I used to like her because we shared the same passion—a love for jewelry.But now, I wanted to take that back. I hated her. I hated her now that Seb’s arms were around her.I smiled at her and greeted her, deliberately ignoring Sebastian. I didn’t want to look at his face and get distracted again. If I could roll my eyes at him, I would’ve done it ages ago.“Hi,” I said to Stanford with a bright smile. “How are you?” I asked as I led them toward the VIP room
I’ve lost count of how many times I sighed today. It’s becoming a habit ever since Sebastian started living here. I asked Niu about it, but he would just shrug and say he didn’t know. It’s frustrating because I don’t know what to do around the house anymore. Every time he’s around, I get so self-conscious—and it’s stressing me out. I notice his every move, and I get conscious of myself, how I look, how I smell when he’s nearby.“Claire, Mom’s here!” Niu called out.I developed this habit of locking myself in the bathroom whenever I need to think. It’s become my personal space ever since I married Niu. In here, I can be honest with myself—I don’t have to pretend I’m happy in front of everyone. Here, I can talk to myself in the mirror and pour my heart out.I heaved a deep sigh and turned to the door.“Go ahead, I’ll be out in a few,” I said, cracking the door open just slightly to let Niu know he should go down first.I quickly took off my nightgown and stepped into the shower. My moth
I cleared my throat, adjusted my seat, and continued scanning through the catalog, but I became conscious of how his hand was caressing my waist. He was drawing tiny circles on the fabric of my dress, and I couldn’t help but compare it to how it felt when Sebastian touched me. I didn’t feel the same electric surge when Sebastian caressed my lips. Every stroke from him tickled, and it had a strong effect on my body.Just remembering those times when his body accidentally touched mine made my body burn with desire. I couldn’t understand it, but my brain knew why I felt this way about Seb. I was completely attracted to him. My body sent signals, but my mind refused to accept the truth. Society condemned situations like this. It was taboo.“Hey, are you okay?” Niu asked. He leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. I didn’t feel anything when his lips brushed against my earlobe. It wasn’t the same tingling sensation as when Sebastian whispered to me—no electric surge that awakened every n
Sebastian’sThey say a real man chooses to honor, love, and stay faithful to one woman.I say feelings are fleeting—just temporary emotions, easily altered by circumstances you never expected.I smirked as I stared at the red liquid swirling in my glass. It reminded me of someone obsessed with red lipstick. Red—the color of love, passion, and strong emotion. But it can also mean anger, rage. Humans always see things from different angles. What might be beautiful to one could be destructive to another.I quickly downed the remaining liquor in my glass. This thing’s been stressing me out lately. I’m not really a drinker, but lately, alcohol has become my go-to just to calm the fuck down. I poured myself another drink.I looked at my laptop screen. Her strawberry blonde hair matched her porcelain skin so perfectly. And that sad little smile she always gives—like she’s trying to be friendly but her eyes betray her. I know that smile isn’t real. I want to see what a real smile looks like o
Claire’s My breath hitched as he pulled me close, his warm breath fanning my face. I could smell a mix of alcohol and cigarettes on his breath, making my stomach churn. The closeness of our bodies sent shivers down my spine. His warm hand on my waist felt incredible. “Have you thought about it?” he asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, fixed on mine. He was asking me to cheat with him, and damn it, I was actually considering it. The idea was incredibly exciting! “Seb,” I whispered, trying to pull away, but his grip tightened. I felt breathless, dizzy from the closeness of our faces. He pulled me closer, settling me on his lap. I was so surprised by his sudden move, I just let him do it. The sensations were too much to resist, and my body was definitely enjoying the closeness. But a part of me was screaming at me. This is so wrong! My mind was screaming at me, but I wanted to follow the ti
Clare’s “Yes, dad. Don’t worry, Sebastian is already on it. The photos were edited. Someone’s trying to destroy the company and they posted malicious photos online. Sebastian is already taking care of the person behind it. Okay, take care, dad.” I ended the call with my father. He was livid when I first answered the call, but he eventually calmed down when I explained the truth behind those photos. I breathed a sigh of relief once he settled down. I know how he gets angry, and it scares me. I was just so thankful that Sebastian was fast enough to contain the situation. I was impressed by how quickly he acted on that kind of issue. “Dear, why don’t you stay for dinner? I already asked the chef to prepare something. Is there anything specific you’d like to eat, dear? I’ll tell the kitchen,” said Mama Amalia. I smiled at her before putting my phone in my pocket. I had excused myself earlier when I saw my dad’s c
Claire’s I slouched and fixed my gaze outside the window. I sharply turned to him when he suddenly cleared his throat loudly. I was annoyed by his face! He just suddenly showed up here and told me I had to go home—and that I couldn’t say no. I really didn’t want to leave yet because I still had three days left at this beach house. I wanted to stay here for those three days to think things through, especially with the scandal that Niu was involved in. I preferred to prepare myself to face the media and my family—I knew my quiet life would become chaotic if it were proven that it was really Niu in those pictures. Honestly, I’d rather believe we were sabotaged, that the issue wasn’t true, just so everything would die down more easily. “So, you already saw the photos,” he said, still looking straight ahead. I knew what he was referring to—it was the pictures of Niu with another woman. Funny, but I didn’t feel any remorse or jea
Niu’s The frustration I’m feeling right now is beyond imaginable. I let out an irritated sigh. Someone was sabotaging me and the company, that’s for sure. There’s no way those photos would’ve come out if no one had taken them. Knowing that my biggest secret is now out in public made my nerves tremble. I knew many would get hurt and affected by what I did. I knew the consequences the moment I chose to cheat on the marriage my parents arranged for me—and they can’t blame me for this. I cursed under my breath out of frustration. Just who the f*ck posted those pictures online? Whoever did this is going to pay. I’ll make sure they taste hell right here on earth. A crowd had gathered outside the subdivision gate—reporters and cameramen everywhere. I smirked. These dirt-hungry leeches feed off other people’s filth. One day, I’ll crush this industry to the ground. I sped up despite the crowd blocking the gate. They q
Sebastian’s POV I closed my eyes and leaned back in my chair, trying to ease the pressure building in my head. These past few days had been nothing short of maddening—trying to deal with backstabbing traitors stealing from my company, my mother pushing me endlessly to propose to Sylvia (God, she could be relentless), my damn brother who couldn't keep his pants zipped, and my own body betraying me every time Claire was near. I groaned in frustration as images of Claire in a smoking hot black bikini flashed through my mind. Get a grip, you perverted idiot! Letting out a long sigh, I picked up my phone and opened the dummy social media account I created. I used it to follow Claire’s updates—every post, every picture. Call me obsessed, call me crazy—this is what Sebastian Altamirano becomes when a woman gets under his skin. And that woman just happens to be my sister-in-law. Great job, man. Just great. My brows f
The entire room was dark, and only the wall lamp offered a dim glow—just enough to see the two people wrapped in the intimacy of each other’s warmth. Moans of desire filled the air, blending with the sound of heavy breathing as the man moved passionately over the woman. His movements were intense, urgent—like someone who had been longing for this moment for years. “F*ck! You’re so tight, babe,” he groaned, overwhelmed by the closeness between them. The woman wrapped her arms around his neck and parted her legs wider, welcoming him completely. She loved the rawness of it, the desperate hunger in every movement, each thrust bringing a mix of pleasure and pain that she craved. She knew what they were doing was wrong—but she didn’t care. He was hers from the beginning. She was the one who truly knew and loved him, not his wife. In her mind, it was she who was wronged, not the other way around. “Ha
Claire’s I happily stared at the wide ocean in front of me. The salty and warm breeze gently hit my face. The ambiance is so refreshing and calming, this is paradise for me. If I had a choice, I would rather live in this simple place. This place is the complete opposite of the busy and crowded streets of Makati. I closed my eyes when I heard the soft chirping of birds along with the crashing of the waves on the shore. Nature is truly a beautiful thing. It was my second day here and I’m enjoying my time alone—savoring the feeling of being able to do whatever I wanted without the prying eyes of others. I just feel bad that I had to lie to my mother, but I really had to do this. I told her I was with Kate on a retreat. She thought I was in Tagaytay, but in reality, I am here in Batangas, renting a beachfront house for myself. I didn’t ask to be driven here because I knew the way. I’ve been to this place many times. During the
Claire’s “Yes, ma. I’m really okay, and besides, Kate will be there to accompany me,” I sighed as I explained to my mom. Lying to her wasn’t my intention, but I really needed to do this. If I told her I’d be going alone, she’d just worry even more and might not even let me go. “I just want to make sure, hija. You know I don’t really like those retreats. They’re too risky, and you don’t even know the people you’re going with. They’re strangers. I don’t want to sound judgmental, but I’m just being careful,” my mom explained at length. Her voice laced with worry and disapproval. I couldn’t blame her though. The last time I said I was going on a retreat, I ended up in the hospital. It was an isolated incident, but she still worries. “It’s fine, ma. Really. That was just one incident and I’m sure we’ll take extra precautions this time,” I assured her. “You can’t blame me, Claire. You’re all I have left. I just wan
Claire’s Thinking about how my parents would react if they knew what happened in the Altamirano's mansion, they would probably scold me to death, and in the worst-case scenario, they would disown me. What I did was reckless and not like me at all. I’ve never done anything like that since. I was always the good daughter that the media adored. If I don’t confront Sebastian about what he did, I’m sure it won’t be the last time. His eyes were full of admiration and lust, I must say. The way his gaze lingered on me, and how they darkened whenever I wore provocative dresses—he clearly had something going on in his mind. I could feel his attraction to me, and I’ll admit I enjoyed it. The thing about infidelity is you don’t really feel the regret and guilt—because you enjoyed it. You enjoyed the thrill of not being caught. Unable to sleep, I decided to swim to clear my mind. It’s always been very effective at calming my nerves and