Royce's POVMy head was aching when I woke up in the morning. I felt a little groggy for drinking last night at Vince's condo unit. I looked at my watch, and It was almost eight o'clock, so I hurriedly jumped out of my bed and took a quick shower.Afterwards, I got dressed, but suddenly my cellphone rang. The number was not registered, so it could either be from the private investigator or someone I hired to put a hidden camera inside Uncle Sam's office last time."Hello", I spoke."Mr. Miller, I did what you have told me. I closely monitored and checked my connections to the hidden camera placed inside your Uncle's office. I'll be sending to you the video file in your email", the man said, and then he ended the call.I sat on the couch for a while, as I opened my email. The file was already there in my inbox, so I hurriedly downloaded it.In the video, Uncle Sam and Charles were having a conversation when Margaret entered the office. She was bringing a piece of paper and handed it t
Vera's POVIt was almost ten o'clock in the evening, but I was still wide awake. I was still thinking a lot of things while lying on my bed.Suddenly, my cellphone rang. I took it from the bedside table, but the number flashed on the screen was not registered on my phone. I was in doubt whether to take the call or not. So far, only my brother, nanny, Alexa and Dave knew my new contact number.My heart was beating fast, feeling afraid that it might be coming again from another person who wanted to ruin my life. I tried to ignore the call, but my phone kept on ringing over and over again. So, I had no choice but to take it whatever it may be."Hello", I spoke.No one answered from the other line. There was a silence and it took five seconds of dead air."Hello. May I know who is this, please?", I spoke again."V-Vera...I'm s-sorry..."It was a man's quavering voice, and it sounded familiar to me. "Royce?", I uttered."Vera, I'm sorry.!!! I made mistakes!"I heard he was sobbing on the
Royce's POV It was already eleven in the evening yet, I was not able to sleep. I kept on walking to and fro inside my room, feeling anxious about what would gonna happen tomorrow in the BOD meeting. Uncle Sam had no idea that the person he hired to kill Reid was already in the custody of the Canadian police. He believed that Reid was already dead because I instructed the man to pretend that he was able to carry out the plan.On the other hand, it remained a puzzle to me, how did Uncle Sam find out that Reid was still in the hospital and in the process of recovery? Who told him? I was thinking of it deeply and took a deep sigh. Suddenly, a certain person was popping into my head. Walter? No, no, no!!! I shook my head. It could never be him! I set aside those thoughts because it's totally irrational. Walter is Reid's bestfriend and his most trusted employee in META. I took a deep sigh as I sat down on my bed. Suddenly, my phone rang. I hurriedly picked it up thinking that it was co
Vera's POV My decision was already fixed. I had to leave this place and start a new life in Canada. There's no reason for me to stay here, especially that my brother would be getting married to his long-time girlfriend a few months from now. I was busy packing up my things when my phone rang. I hurriedly took the call, as soon as Dave's number flashed on the screen. "Hi, Dave!" "Hello, Vera. I have a very important thing to tell you. I know you would also not believe this. But I hired a private investigator to look up for the real Andrea. Then, the PI called me a while ago and he told me that the real Andrea was not the one who had undergone plastic surgery copying your face", Dave spoke. "If she was not the one then, who could that be, Dave?", I asked curiously. "It's--Mar--It's Margaret Vera." "What??? M-Margaret? Royce's cousin?", I asked, in great shock. "Yes, Vera." "But why? I mean---what was her motive why she did that?" "I don't have any idea, Vera. I told the PI to
Royce's POV It's about time for me to get inside. I flipped the doorknob and all their eyes were set on me as I entered the conference hall, Cameras were flashing and I was bombarded with a lot of questions from media men. "Please hold on everyone. My brother had no idea about this. I just called him and asked him to come here because I knew that this would happen. As what I've said, I haven't called for this meeting. I did not remember I signed a CEO memorandum thus, it simply means someone had faked my signature." I was just listening to Reid, while I was seated at the vacant chair not so far from him. I couldn't help myself but get worried about him because I know he is not yet fully recovered. In no time, my gaze landed on Uncle Sam and Charles's direction and I could see the fear in their eyes. "Now, can I answer what the Chief Operating Officer was saying a while ago?", Reid spoke with a calm voice. "Well, it's obvious that he doubted my identity. He mentioned about the art
Vera's POVAfter telling Harold what I got from the Private Investigator, we decided to postpone our flight today. We wanted to find out who the real Andrea was and look for shreds of evidence about Margaret's plastic surgery. I promised myself that I would never stop until that woman would be imprisoned and pay for all the miseries she caused to my life.It was eleven in the morning but still lying in my bed because I was still having morning sickness. Suddenly, someone was knocking at my door. I thought it was my brother but to my surprise, it was my friend Alexa. I did not have any idea that she would come here because she never had called or texted me. I get up and sat on my bed."Surprise!", she exclaimed and approached me with a hug. Then she placed the basket of fruits on the bedside table."I never thought you would be coming here, gurl. Is there anything wrong?", I asked. "Nothing gurl. I was just wondering why you texted me that your flight today is canceled". Alexa said fu
Royce's POV My whole body felt paralyzed and I could barely breathe when I heard everything Vera said to me. I saw the anger in her eyes and it was like fire burning through my veins. Vera and her companions already left but I chose to stay inside my car for a while. I don't know how to bear this pain but I couldn't blame her because it was all my fault. Now, I'm paying the prize for hurting her and accusing her of the things she never had done in her life. But I won't give up on her, no matter what! I took my cellphone and dialed Vince's number. "Hey bro, wazz up?", I heard my friend speaking on the other line. "Uhm, Alexa was with Vera a while ago. She accompanied her to an Oby gyne clinic". "Uh--I see. She told me, she need to see Vera because she wanted to ask her, why Vera canceled her flight to Canada." "She would be flying to Canada bro, with whom? with Dave?", I asked continuously and my voice got a little louder. "Hmm. Dave? Who is he, bro?" A long deep sigh esca
Royce's POVNow I'm certain that Reid knew everything about Margaret's plastic surgery before he got into an accident. But why he did not tell me when we talked in the hospital? I asked, at the back of my mind. I looked at him silently, waiting for him to say something more."That time when we talked in the hospital, I said it was Andrea. I wanted to tell you, it was Margaret who stole Andrea's name, work, and identity. But I was worried about you then that you might not be able to control your anger and that our plan would go awry. Besides, I don't want anything wrong happen to you while I'm still in the hospital. I know how much you've done your part on my behalf. And for that, I'm truly grateful to you bro.""It's okay bro. Don't mention it. All my life, you've always been a good brother to me. And even though I have many shortcomings, still you understand me. So I wanted to make it up to you bro", I softly said.Suddenly, I remembered the sound recording stored on Reid's phone. I
"Congratulations Mr. Miller, your wife has delivered a baby boy and a baby girl!", the doctor smiled. "Wow! You have twins!", Vince and Alexa spoke together. "Thank you doctor", Royce said in excitement. "Congratulations bro!", Vince tapped Royce's shoulder and shook his hand. "You are now a Daddy bro!", Alexa chuckled. Soon after, they went inside the private room to see Vera. Royce kissed his wife passionately and held her hand gently. "You delivered a twin babe! Thank God! You are safe." "Congratulations Vera!", Vince said. "Gurl, congratulations! You are now a certified Mommy!", Alexa uttered and kissed Vera's cheek. "Thank you. How about you? Are you not planning to get pregnant?", Vera asked. Vince and Alexa looked at each other as if there was something they wanted to tell. "Gurl, what is it?", Vera asked in confusion. "Uhm, the truth is---I am one-month pregnant gurl!" "Oh really?", Vera exclaimed in surprise. "Wow, bro congrats!", Royce hugged Vince and tapped
Vera's POVOne week had passed after my last conversation with Royce yet the sting of our farewell was still present. I thought it would be easy for me but with each passing day, I felt an inexplicable sadness and emptiness deep within. I was supposed to be happy with my decision but it did not turn out as I expected to happen. Until I found myself aimlessly scrolling through my phone, ending up in the recycle bin. The photos of Royce and me, which I had previously removed, were still there. As I looked at them, my tears began to flow one by one, as I yearned for those times we spent together.Dave on the other hand was just waiting for me to say 'yes' to his marriage proposal. I was supposed to accept his offer a day after I said goodbye to Royce but suddenly I found myself in a state of confusion. "What's wrong sweetie?", Harold asked anxiously while we were having breakfast one morning."I noticed that you've been like that for a few days. Do you think your Mom would be happy to k
Vera's POVI was resting in my bed, yet sleep eluded me. I kept on thinking about Royce and how he took the bullets that were intended for me. I was just thankful that nothing bad happened to him, otherwise, I couldn't find peace of mind in my lifetime.Reid and Mrs. Miller asked me to stay in the hospital until Royce woke up. But I decided to leave since I did not want him to see me. I was eternally grateful to him for saving me and my baby, and for that, I had already forgiven him. That was all.Meanwhile, I was thinking about Margaret. Finally, we got justice for Andrea. Her life imprisonment would be enough to pay for all the things she did to me, to my sister, and Roxette. Suddenly, Harold was knocking at the door. I knew that it was him since he usually knocked three times."Yes boo, come in!", I said.Harold entered my room and sat on my bed. "How are you, sweetie?""I'm fine boo.""Uhm, what do you want to do now sweetie? Are you still planning to go to Canada and settle the
Vera's POV While the jury was still deliberating about Margaret's cases, we took first a break outside. Vince approached us while Royce remained seated on a couch a little distant from us. "Hi babe!", Vince greeted Alexa with a kiss, and then he turned to me. "Hi Vera", he said and hugged me. "Hello, Vince. It's good to see you here! Uhm, by the way, this is my Mom. I mean, my biological mother and my younger sister", I said. "Hmm. Yes. Alexa told me about it", Vince responded and greeted Mom. "Hi, Aunt Olivia. Hello, little girl!", he messed up my little sister's long hair. She was a shy-type girl but according to my mother, she was not like this before when Andrea was still alive. She was attached to my twin sister so until now, she still couldn't move on from what happened. "Uhm, Vince let me introduce to you my friend Dave." "Dave, this is Vince, Alexa's boyfriend." Vince smiled and greeted him with a handshake. "Hi, bro! Nice meeting you." Dave returned the smile, but s
Vera's POV It was my alarm clock that woke me up from sleep. Despite the early hour, I had to get up due to Margaret's impending trial, a day I had been eagerly anticipating. I was hopeful for a just verdict that would make Margaret accountable for her actions. After this, I would be staying in Canada for good. This had been my plan before but it did not realize because I still wanted Margaret to pay for Identity Theft and most importantly, for killing my sister. My mother and I had already concurred on this. I would be living with her and my younger sister to make up those times we were not together. And--- Dave unexpectedly crossed my mind. I pondered over the possibility of accepting his marriage proposal. After all, he was a decent man, and eventually, I would learn to love him. But what if I fail? Everyone advised me to accept Dave's proposal for my baby's sake. Yet, I harbored doubts, as I didn't want to take advantage of his kindness. It would be unfair to him. A phone ca
Royce's POV For us to avoid the media men, Reid and I took the elevator going to the basement. "Bro, are you okay?", I asked and tapped his shoulder, Reid just let out a heavy sigh, instead of answering my question. "Are we going home now bro? I think you need to take some rest", I said as I started the engine. "Nope, bro. Let's drop by at the police station. I wanted to see that traitor friend of mine!", Reid gritted his teeth as he emphasized the word 'traitor'. I did as what I was told to do but I did not bother to talk to him while we were on our way. I knew he was not okay. The corners of his mouth turned down in a sad frown while his brows furrowed. His complexion paled as if the blood had drained from his face. His gaze was a mixture of pain and anger for being betrayed by his best friend. A few moments later, we arrived at the police station. Reid got out of the car first so I hurried to get out as well. We entered at the entrance door and the first thing that caught ou
Royce's POV Finally, the stars were aligned with us. With the help of our competent detectives, the police were able to catch the other kidnappers involved in Reid's kidnapping incident. We also found out that one of them was the driver who bumped into Dad's car, so, that person was indicted in a murder case. The police asked him the reason for killing my father but he said he was just following an order from his 'boss'—something that was baffling in my mind. Moreover, Nicholas Monet, also known as 'Simon Morris' was caught by the authorities at the LA Cruise Terminal when he was about to board a cruise ship. This time, I would make sure that this fucking asshole would be put behind bars and pay for all the crimes he committed. However, the person who ordered him to illicitly withdraw funds from our account was not yet identified. Until now, I still couldn't figure out who was behind it. On the other hand, Uncle Sam and Charles were already convicted of embezzlement and attempted
Royce's POV As soon as mom saw us at the door, she felt a sense of relief that was like a soothing balm, easing the worry that gnawed her heart from the time Reid was kidnapped until I left to meet the kidnappers. She quickly ran towards us and opened her arms. "Reid! Oh! God Thank you so much!", mom exclaimed and hugged us while tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. "Are you okay son? Did they not hurt you?" "I'm fine, mom", Reid responded softly. "Royce! Thank you for fulfilling your promise to bring your brother back home. I'm glad you are both safe!", she said as she wiped her tears away. Her face lit up with a bright smile whispering words of love and joy as she embraced us warmly. But despite her smile, restlessness was evident in her eyes, indicating the need for her to get some rest. So Reid and I accompanied her to her room and waited until she had drifted off to sleep. Together we left mom's room, moving quietly so as not to disturb her. "Bro, I think you need to take
Royce's POV The ransom demanded for the release of my brother was already inside the money bag. Everything was set ready, but still waiting for the kidnappers' call to provide the precise location of our meetup. They insisted that I would come alone and I had to follow them for my brother's safety. However, the police had organized a backup team that would support me in carrying out my plan. Suddenly our residence telephone rang. I hurriedly picked it up for I thought it was coming from the kidnappers. "Good morning sir. This is from Ally Bank. We would like to inform you that your family savings account is temporarily frozen because we noticed suspicious activity", the bank personnel spoke intently. "What do you mean suspicious activity sir?", I asked in confusion. "After you had withdrawn the substantial sum of 100 million dollars, another transaction took place, depleting 500 million dollars from the account. It was only later when we discovered that Reid Miller's signature wa