Vera's POVThe name "Venice" kept popping in my head, the reason why I did not get enough sleep last night,Who is she? And why do we have her birth certificate?I looked at my watch and it's already seven in the morning. I guess, my brother has not yet left for work so, I quickly jumped out of bed and was about to flip the doorknob when I remembered the birth certificate. I stepped back and took it from the drawer, and then I went out.My brother's room was just a few steps away from my room. And as soon as I reached the doorstep, I softly knocked on the door."Boo? Are you still there? Can I get inside?", I asked."Yes, sweetie come in."I opened the door and went inside. I saw my brother focusing on his laptop, so I guess, I got the wrong timing. "Yes sweetie, what is it? Are you okay?", he asked while his eyes were still focused on what he was doing.I came closer and stood near his table. He looked at me and smiled. Then he told me to sit on the couch near him."Boo--I'm sorry,
Royce's POV After I answered some questions from the police about the incident, I left the place. But as I looked at my sleeve, it was stained with blood so I took it off, and put on my jacket. Luckily I left it in the car, otherwise, I would have had nothing to wear. As soon as I was finished, I started the engine and pulled the driveway going back to META. I giddily looked at my watch, and it's almost twelve noon. I took my cellphone from my pants to check if I got messages, but there was none. But in no time, it rang and it was coming from Reid. "Hello bro, where are you now? I heard the news about the murder incident. I got worried when I saw you there", my brother spoke first. "Are you okay?", he asked anxiously. "Yes, bro. I'm fine. I'm on my way to META now. We'll just talk later", I responded and then ended the call. While I was on my way, I couldn't help but think about what Roxette told me when she was already dying. What's there in the flower vase she had mentioned? Wh
Vera's POV After the conversation, I returned to my room, still thinking about the shocking truth I heard from my brother. Though I couldn't find hatred in my heart for what daddy did to mom, but the truth still shocked me. I felt sorry for mom, and I wanted to hug her at this very moment. On the other hand, I couldn't resent daddy for what he had done. He was just a human being unable to resist temptations. After all, he was a good father, and his mistakes in the past, wouldn't be enough to destroy the good memories he left behind. But the thought of meeting my biological mother suddenly came up my mind. Maybe I have the right to know her personally. Yet, I have this little doubt if my brother would allow me to go out, not unless there would be someone who would accompany me outside, In my desire to know the whereabouts of my biological mother, I called my Private Investigator and asked him to find Olivia Martin. That's her name my brother told me earlier and the name that appea
Royce's POVI woke up in the morning with a piece of bad news. Uncle Sam, Charles, and Margaret were able to file bail so they were released from the police custody. For this reason, I became desperate enough to gather ample evidence to solidify the charges against them. Suddenly, the thoughts about Andrea's killing popped up in my head. I exactly don't know what was the cause of her death. The PI also failed to inform me about it since an autopsy would not be possible anymore. But it was evident that Margaret did that on purpose, as what being stated in the video conversation between her and Roxette.Another thing was, why did Andrea look the same as Vera? Were they related to each other by any chance? I heaved a deep sigh when I remembered Vera. How could I ever forget the woman I love the most, yet the same woman I hurt so badly?I took my cellphone and dialed her number. After a few rings, she picked it up. I thought of ending the call when I heard her voice but a strong force pu
Royce's POV*********WASHINGTON, DC.As soon as we arrived at the hospital, Reid and I hastened our steps towards the entrance of the building. We got from the Hospital Information Desk that Mom's condition was already stable so she was moved to a private room on the third floor. But Dad was still in the operating room, so we're not yet totally at ease.An extreme apprehension was running in my mind as we took the elevator going to the third floor. I knew, Reid felt the same. So I couldn't help but also feel worried about him since he had not yet fully recovered from the accident, then here comes another dreadful incident happened to our parents.The elevator dinged and we hurriedly went out, heading to Mom's private room. Just a few knocks on the door and then we entered. Aunt Sophie, Mom's only sister, was there sitting on a couch."Hi Royce, Reid!", she stood up and hugged us."Hello, Aunt Sophie. Thank you for taking care of Mom. How is she now?", I asked while my eyes were looki
Royce's POV It's been a week since Daddy passed away, but the agony of losing him has not alleviated, even just a little. His body was cremated and kept at the Columbarium in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. After his cremation, we went back to LA, and our residential house in Washington was taken care of, by our servants. It was really difficult for us to move on. Mom just stayed in her room crying all day long while looking at Dad's picture. So all I did was to be at her side and give her comfort. She didn't even take her meals when our housemaid brought her a food platter and even though I encouraged her to take her meals, she remained stunned. Reid on the other hand, was in the office, so I was the only one left at home. He went to work with drooping shoulders and a gloomy face but he had no other choice since META needs him. Even I, was also struggling but I had to be strong for my family. While watching Mom sleeping in her room, I was thinking about the accident. According to the
Vera's POV While waiting for the bodyguards to arrive, I thought of calling my best friend Alexa. So I took my cellphone and dialed her number. After a few rings, she was on the other line. "Hi gurl! How are you?", she spoke first. "I'm fine gurl. But I need to tell you something", I said then I started telling her that I was only born out of dad's infidelity. Alexa was shocked by what she heard but remained quiet waiting to hear more of it. But when I mentioned to her about my twin sister, Venice, she was a little bit more surprised. "You have a twin sister gurl?", she asked to confirm if she heard it right. "Yes gurl", I sighed. "Uhm, Andrea, you said she looks exactly like you? Could it be possible that she is your---" "Yes gurl, she is my twin sister. But---she is already d-dead", I choked up after saying the last word. "What? Dead?" "But why?", Alexa raised her voice. "That's what I wanted to find out gurl. In fact, I'll be going out now to meet my biological mother."
Royce's POVMy plan to go to Skybar had slipped my mind when I saw Vera, riding in her car. She was not the one driving but a man, whom I wasn't sure if it was her brother or Dave. She was just sitting in the backseat while another man was sitting in the passenger seat. It was quite obscure who it was since I was a little distant from them.Out of curiosity, I moved behind them but not too close to her car so she would not notice that I was following them.And when the road they were taking became familiar to me, I became even more curious. If I was not mistaken, it was the road heading to the apartment where Andrea's family stayed. I continued driving and after several minutes, the car stopped.I was right!After a while, Vera got out of the car with a man whom I thought was her bodyguard, based on his appearance.Why did Vera come here? I was asking at the back of my mind.I was thinking about seconds before I remembered that Andrea looked the same as Vera, so was it possible that A
"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