CARLOSAt first, I didn't get it because there was no space between words. But while reading it, I gasped and looked up at Mara. "MARA is ARA." These are the words that stick in my mind. "MARA is ARA?" I voiced out."I don't know what he means by that. I wondered why he was saying Ara was me. But Loren is the one hurting Grandpa." She said, but I didn't hear it. The words keep playing in my mind. "MARA is ARA.""By any chance, do you have a silver necklace? It has a rabbit pendant with a gold ribbon on the left ear?" I asked. My heart was pounding in my chest."Yes, how did you know, Uncle? Do you know where it is? I lost it during Grandpa's accident. Maybe I drop it somewhere." She said. I burst into tears and wrapped my arms around her."My baby, my little tokki. I finally found you." I thought with my eyes brimmed with tears. "Uncle, you're hurting me." "Sir, let her go. Her wound might bleed again." The nurse said. I carefully laid her down again and planted a lingering kiss on
CARLOS Babe, Please listen to me," Loren begged, sobbing."No, Grandpa is dying because of you. Ara almost dies because of you. So, all this time, Grandpa is right. You are a gold digger bitch who stays beside me because of money. All the cashed out in Grandpa's account, it's not Mara doing but you." He screamed and slapped her again." Loren bawled, kneeling in front of him."Jayson, Please don't do this.""Don't do this? Why, when you beat Grandpa, did you ever think to stop? Are you enjoying hurting my grandfather? Are you enjoying how Grandpa runs to the corner and stays there when he has a panic attack? I'm sure you are. You enjoy pulling his hair and seeing him in pain. You enjoy hitting him with a stick. Do you enjoy listening to his cry of pain? You are a psycho, crazy, a witch devil." Jayson cried."Yes, I do all those things because he doesn't like me. He always said he was against me, so I gave him the medicine to forget. I beat him because I hate him so much!!!" She scream
JAYSON Good afternoon, Mr. Fernandez." Jane greeted, standing up."Good afternoon, Jane. Have a seat." I sat beside Uncle Carlos and waited for Jane to explain why she was there."I think you remember what your grandfather's will stated?""It turns out Loren is not Ara," I replied shortly."I heard, and I already filed the case against them while I dismissed the lawsuit I filed against Mara. There's no court hearing that will happen. Sir Carlos has evidence to put them behind bars without a court hearing, and Loren's license was revoked earlier. She is not allowed to do any medical activities in her lifetime. Doctor Lee's testimony helps a lot, and the Doctor who Loren pays to help her dirty work, his license was also revoked."Good, I want them to suffer. I want them to rot in jail. Especially Loren. I want her to suffer more than Grandpa did.""Don't worry. I make sure they can not bail themselves out." Jane said."Who is this, Doctor Lee?""He is the new Doctor of your grandfather
MARAIt's been an hour since my father left. Yes, I have a father, a very nice one. I'm happy and at the same time sad because I found out that the mother who I thought was the best mother in the whole world is the reason why I didn't see my birth mother. My mom loves me so much, and it never crossed my mind that she could do such a cruel thing to others. She is very kind to everyone and very soft-hearted, and I love her so much, and I'm a bit mad at myself because I couldn't get mad at her regardless of what she did to my real family. She fulfills the duty of my birth mother. She loves and cares for me dearly. She never laid a hand on me. Yes, sometimes she scolded me, but she had a reason, and she was the reason why my birth mother died.And Jayson is my childhood friend and is betrothed to me. Dad said he loves me, I'm happy to hear that, but I'm sure it was a child's admiration because the woman he loves now is Loren, and he is willing to disregard his grandfather's opinion for
JAYSON"I don't want." Those three words are like a knife being stabbed in my heart and twisted it. As soon as I heard it, I wanted to slump on the floor and weep like a child. Those three words are more painful than what Loren did to me. Yes, It hurt. I cried to sleep last night, but in the morning, I stood up, and here I am, asking her to marry me, but her rejection is like a punch that knocks me out.Why I'm feeling this? I love Loren, and I'm willing to disregard my grandfather's opinion just for her, but why Mara's rejection is painful, double how I felt about Loren's betrayal?I quickly ran out of her room when she turned her back to us. My eyes clouded with tears, and I accidentally bumped into someone causing me to fall on the floor. "I'm so, sir. Are you alright? " I heard a male voice, but I ignored him. I quickly stood up and went to the ICU. I want Grandpa right now.I wiped the tears that rolled down my face, and I'm thankful that the nurse in charge in the ICU just gre
JAYSON "Your grandpa, he doesn't have the will to wake up. Even though all his vital are improving, we cannot do anything if the patient doesn't intend to wake but pray and wait."Why would he do that? Doesn't he care for me anymore?" I asked."Mr. Fernandez, some patients do that because they have trauma during the time that they are awake, and once they are in a coma, they choose to stay like that, too afraid of what going happens once they wake up. Afraid to experience those traumatic incidents again. Maybe what Loren did to him caused him to have trauma." I took a deep breath, trying to hold back my tears, but it's still rolling down my face."Loren, she beat him when no one was looking. He got a panicked attack once in a while. He looks so scared, and only Mara can calm him. That woman is a monster; just because of money, she did all those things to Grandpa. I didn't suspect her even once because she was so gentle to Grandpa when I was around, but I didn't know she was a monster
JAYSON"Nana!" I grinned and threw myself at her as soon as she opened the door. Luckily, Dustin was still holding me, or we were already rolling on the floor. I laughed at what I thought and placed one arm around her shoulder."You're drunk.""Just a bit," I said, smiling."A bit, my ass. You've been drinking since two in the afternoon. What's wrong with you, man? If Loren is the reason, she doesn't worth it. You're ruining your life, Jayson." Dustin scolded me."Who said that bitch is the reason? I don't care if she burns into hell. I don't care if she f*ck another man. I don't care if she dies. I don't care. I hate that woman; I hate her so much. I want to kill her." I screamed as they helped me up in my room. Dustin pushed me onto my bed, sighing."You can go now, Dustin. I'll take care of him. Thank you for bringing him home." I heard Nana say."Thank you!!!! I screamed, laughing.
JAYSON.I smiled when I opened my eyes to find Mara sleeping beside me. She was leaning her head on my chest with my arm wrapped around her waist "How she ended sleeping beside me? I feel my forehead. I am still a bit warm and weak but much better than earlier. I guess it's passed past lunch already, and I'm starving because I only drank the soup earlier. I haven't eaten since last night."Mara!! I softly shook her. I'm sure she hasn't eaten her lunch as well. "Mara!! Her eyes snapped open, and she quickly sat up."What happened? Do you feel uncomfortable? Are you in pain?" How do you feel?""A bit better. I'm starving." I weakly whispered. "Wait, I ask someone to bring food here." She stood up and went to the intercom, and asked for our food before she settled back on the edge of my bed. She feels my forehead, my face, and my neck."You still have a fever." She said and went into the bathroom. When she returned, she was carrying a small basin and a face towel. She put it on my bed
EPILOGUE GIAN I smiled as everyone enjoyed Gia's seventh birthday with my pregnant, beautiful wife beside me. Mom, Dad, and Grandpa entertain our guests while Sander, Christian, and Gia entertain the children. I cannot leave Lyza because she is already nine months pregnant and needs help every time she moves from one place to another. We will have our baby boy soon, and Gia was so excited to meet her brother. I chuckled as I watched Dustin chasing their three-year-old daughter around. Dina is a hyper child. You won't see her staying in one place. She's always running or jumping. Christine and Dustin got married when Christian turned two years old and a year after Christine got pregnant. The twins Alice and Ana are also present with their husbands and children. Ana has two children, a boy and a girl. Annalise is five years old, and her brother Adan is two years old. Annalise is Gia's best friend, together with Christian and Alex. Alex is Alice's five-year-old son, a timid boy,
GIAN"Sissy, Yan! Yan! I groaned and covered my ears with a pillow. It's only six in the morning, but Sander is already knocking at the door. "Mommy and Daddy are still sleeping. Everyone is still sleeping. Let's go to the park ourselves and Lily. Come on, uncle. " I heard our six-year-old daughter whine. "I told you to stop calling me uncle. I'm only five years older than you. " Sander said, and I could hear the annoyance in his voice. "But you're my mommy brother, so you are my uncle.""I feel old every time you call me uncle. Just call me by my name. It's fine with me. ""But mommy and daddy will get mad at me. They will think I don't respect you if I only call you by your name.""Just tell your parents I asked you to call me by name. So please stop calling me uncle, okay? ""In one condition." I chuckled. Sander was always fooled by Gia when it come to not calling him Uncle. "What condition? ""Let's go to the park, please. ""It's still early, and your parents will get mad at
GIANAfter a week of my return, Dad called a press conference. We hid my return from the public, and this would be my first appearance. We held the press con at the Fernandez Corporation main building, and all media outlets sent their representatives. The function hall is packed with reporters anticipating what Mr. Jason Fernandez wants to announce. There is some speculation that he might announce that I'm already dead after almost a year of searching, and some speculate that it is about the company. I watched in the waiting room with Lyza and our little Princess as Dad and Grandpa talked to the media and answered their question about the company, waiting for my turn. When the press started to ask questions about me, Dad signaled to Inspector Ronald, who was standing on the sideline guarding the people around him together with his men.Inspector Ronald nodded, and he came inside the waiting room. "It's time, Mr. Ramirez. " "Okay, Love, wait for Inspector Ronald to escort you to joi
LYZAThe following day, we returned home. Christine and her mother returned to their home together with Dustin. He doesn't want to separate from Christine and his daughter anymore. He was scared that something might happen to them if he wasn't beside them. Aunty Amy supported his decision, and after Christine and her mother coop up with what happened to them, they will talk about their marriage. I'm happy for them, and I hope Christine and her mother recover from the trauma that Maximi caused them. I smiled as I watched Gian's sleep. We are currently in our room because we didn't sleep properly last night. Gian was sleeping while I was afraid to close my eyes. I'm worried that once I open my eyes, Gian won't be here anymore, and everything will turn out just a dream. I caressed his face and pressed my lips on his cheek. He lost so much weight and was pale. He looks like a fragile thing right now, which I need to handle with care—gone my hero and my pillar, Gian. The eyes that were
GIAN I listened as my mother narrated what happened in the past and how she and my father suffered all these years in Maximo's hands. I hated her so much without knowing the suffering she went through. I believe what people told me, why my mother left me, and Dean didn't correct the lies the people said and let me feel them. I hate to know that the man who I love and saw as my father is the reason why I was separated from my family. I wanted to hate Dean, but I couldn't because he loved me as his son, and he provided me the things I needed, and he loved me unconditionally. He didn't lack as a father. "I'm so sorry, Gian." My mother said, snapping me out of my thoughts. Her eyes were brimming with tears as she looked at me. "Your father and I didn't mean to leave you in Mr. Fernandez's care, but we thought you would have a better life than being with us. When Dean died in prison, that's when we found where you are, and we found out that Mr. Fernandez took you in. During that time
GIANAround four in the afternoon, we left for the Cabin. My mother and Christine ride in Dustin's car while I go with Daddy Jason and Grandpa Carlos. I know my mother wants to talk to me, but it can wait later after I meet my wife and my daughter. I'm dying to meet them. I feel saddened that I wasn't there beside Lyza during her pregnancy and when she gave birth. I missed a lot of time being with her and my daughter. When the car entered the gate of the Cabin, my heart pounded in excitement. I could already see Sander, Amelia, Tommy, and another kid I don't know chasing each other. When they noticed the car approaching, they stopped running and waited for us. When the car stopped beside them, Sander went to the driver's side, waiting for Dad to step out of the vehicle. He looked a lot bigger the last time I saw him."Dada! Grandpa," Sander grinned and hugged Dad's legs. "Hello, little Prince. Where's your Sissy?" "She is inside the cabin with Moma, taking care of Gia and the baby
DUSTINMaximo was screaming as he struggled from the tight grip of Inspector Ronald's men, who were dragging him and his men out of the mansion. "Inspector Ronald, thank you for helping us. " Sir Jason said. Gian stuck beside Sir Carlos as if afraid to be separated from them again. "Asking us for help is the right decision, and it helps us a lot as well. Finally, we can put Maximo behind bars after all these years. Ma'am, can you come with us, as well as you, Doctor Alfred, to the police station? You are our witness, so we can imprison Maximo until he rots inside. " "Okay, and I will tell you all his illegal dealings and where he keeps his goods. "Christine's mother said while Doctor Alfred nodded. "Doctor Alfred, thank you so much for saving me. I know what you went through, and if you need my help, don't hesitate to tell me. I owe you my life. " Gian held Doctor Alfred's hand, face full of gratitude. "It's my work, and I did it willingly, but Maximo just in prison me without giv
GIANEarly in the morning, we left Tinay Island. I glanced at Christine, who was stuck beside me like glue as if I were her salvation, and my mother, sitting on my other side, looked so tense. Maximo is sitting in front of us, a smile not leaving his lips. Doctor Alfred is seated behind us with two of Maximo's men. We are in a boat heading to the City. I knew everything that was happening around me. I was in a coma, but I heard all their voices. Christine and my mother is my constant visitor during that time, and they are always crying, begging me to wake up. "Now, I know what happened back then. Dean is not my real father but my kidnapper. My mom told me everything while I was in a coma, but I couldn't bring myself to hate Papa Dean, who raised and loved me as if I were his real son. My parents didn't hate Dean as well because if he hadn't kidnapped me, I would live like Christine, my sister, or Maximo already killed me. I don't have an amnesia. Christine was right. It's better t
DUSTINWe went to the cabin Friday afternoon. Everyone is excited except Sir Carlos, Sir Jason, and I. We set up four tents outside the cabin for the adults while the children, Maam Mara, and Lyza will stay in the Cabin tonight. Everyone is laughing, helping each other prepare our food for dinner. While we are busy here, Inspector Ronald is also busy in the mansion preparing his men for Maximo's arrival tomorrow morning. They will wear a civilian uniform and post as guards, but some will stay hidden. We found out that Maximo had a record of selling illegal drugs before, but he billed out. The authorities have been on his tail these past years, but they couldn't find evidence that could put him behind bars. A few years ago, the authorities intercepted a massive shipment of illegal drugs. Someone tipped them about the shipment, and the informant told the authorities that it belonged to Maximo, but someone took the blame, and Maximo got out of it unscathed. And the authorities are ea