CHRISTINEI was inside Gian's room again, talking to him, encouraging him to wake up when my water broke. I'm due any day now, and I didn't expect it today. "Doctor Alfred!! I shouted. He was staying in the room beside Gian. Maximo arranged it like that so he could attend to Gian if something happened to him. "Yes, what happened?" He asked, bursting at the door with my mother following him. I think she heard my screams, too. "I think my water broke. ""Can you call someone to carry your daughter to the room we prepared for her to deliver her baby? " Doctor Alfred asked my mother, who looked pale beside me. "O...Okay. " She stuttered and rushed out of the room. "Do you feel any pain? ""A bit. ' I murmured. Mom returned with two of Maximo's men with him. "Carry her to the room we prepared for her." The men glared at me but followed her. "Be careful!! She scolded them when they carried me like they were carrying a dead person without caring that I was a pregnant woman. Today, Ma
LYZAWe all gathered in the living room after we ate our lunch. Later at night, Dustin is going to New York to start working there. Dad told Dustin he'd take over the President position from Francis, but he declined. He told Dad he isn't familiar with the company yet and is willing to work as Francis's assistant. Dad didn't persist and let him be. I smiled as I watched Amelia stick beside Dustin, clinging to him like a koala since morning. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she hugged Dustin. Dustin smiled as he soothingly rubbed her back and occasionally kissed the crown of her head. Her mother was on her right side, and Uncle Alias was on his left side while Amelia was on his lap. "I'm so happy for Dustin. After many hard times and hard work, he finally reached his dream.""Sir! Sir Jayson. " All our attention turned to the front door, seeing a flustered guard. He is Allan, Uncle Alias' subordinate. He is the one assigned at the gate today. "What is it, Allan? Why are you panicking?
DUSTINI returned home after the hospital staff settled Lyza in her room to bring Nana and Sander to the hospital. When I stepped inside the front door, I heard the baby crying as if he was in pain. "Aunty Cassy, what happened?" I asked. Nana, Sarah, Aunty Cassy, Rea, and Sander crowd the bawling baby lying on the couch."He has a fever. We need to bring him to the hospital, and Dustin, we found this envelope inside the basket, and It was addressed to you." Nana said and handed me the envelope. I took it from her, frowning. Why is this envelope addressed to me? I thought as I opened the envelope.Inside is a letter. I read it, and my heart instantly pounded; then, look at the baby in Aunty Cassy's arm. "Little Prince, go and change. I'll bring you to your Sissy. Nana, you can come too. Aunty Cassy, can you come too to help me with the baby? Let's bring him to the hospital.""Okay! I need to change my clothes. You hold him first. I took the baby in my arms, and my eyes instantly brim
GIANI looked at the people inside my room; they were smiling at me. "How are you feeling, Gian?" Christine asked. "You've been in a coma for almost nine months." She said, tears brimmed her eyes. I'm in a coma that long? I thought I was only out for a few days, but it's been nine months. I thought, and worries washed all over me. "I feel weak. " I whispered.""Okay, you rest more so that you'll regain you'll strength. I'll cook food for you so that you can eat when you wake up later. ""Thank you, Christine, for everything. ""As her fiance, she must take care of you. " "Who are you? ""Oh, let me introduce myself. I'm Maximo, Christine's stepfather, and this is Emily, her mother. This is Doctor Alfred; he is the one who was watching you, making sure you are away from danger twenty-four-seven.""Where's my family? Why they are not here.""We already inform your family about your condition. They come and visit once a week while you're in a coma. You can't travel with your condition
DUSTINI'm inside Doctor Chris's office with Sir Jason, waiting for the DNA result. Doctor Chris called Sir Jason earlier and told him that the result already come out, and he was going to pick it up from the lab. We quickly hurried to his office, hoping we got a positive outcome. Doctor Chris hasn't returned from the lab, but his receptionist let us wait inside his office. Lyza was breastfeeding the baby these past two days, and if the result is that the baby is mine, I owe a lot to Lyza for doing this for my son. I'm also worried if he is my baby, it only means that Christine and Gian are in danger. Doctor Chris returned from the lab, and we quickly stood up and greeted him, anticipating the DNA result. He handed the sealed envelope to Sir Jason, taking it with shaky hands. "I didn't see the result. I want you to see it first. Doctor Chris knows the reason behind the DNA test, and he knows how anxious we are."Dustin, you open it." Sir Jason handed me the envelope, and I took it
CHRISTINE"Christine, come to the living room. Maximo wants to talk to you as well as Doctor Alfred." My mother said, standing at my open door. "I don't want to listen to whatever he wanted to talk about." I snapped and turned my back on her. "This is about Gian. He plans to return Gian to his family this week, and he wanted you and Doctor Alfred to cooperate. ""Cooperate? " I chuckled. She stepped into my room and closed the door behind her. "This is your way out. " She whispered. I turned around and looked at her, and her pleading eyes looked at me. It seemed like she wanted to talk more but held herself. "This is your way out, Christine. Just follow whatever Maximo wants you to do, but when you reach Fernandez's residence, find a way to ask for help. I'm alone, and I can't fight Maximo alone.""Mom!!! "Sshhh!! Everything I did is for you. Don't talk; someone might hear us. Come downstairs." She said and hurriedly left the room. "What was that? Is mom pretending all this tim
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
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
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