Adaline refused when Altezza insisted she accompany him to the office because, aside from Tessa and Duncan, no one else knew they were already married. And Adaline intended to keep it that way. The only office personnel aware of their marriage were the board of directors and Altezza's work partners. They had also been instructed not to spread the information because Altezza didn't want Adaline to be treated differently by her colleagues. That was the reason Altezza's assistant, Duncan, presented when he distributed the wedding invitations.But no matter how strongly Adaline resisted, Altezza wouldn't give in."Go to the office with me or be driven by the chauffeur. Those are your only options, Mrs. Quirino. Because I don't want my wife to take public transportation again, no matter what the reason," Altezza asserted, causing Adaline's courage to falter instantly. Not wanting to cause trouble, Adaline chose to go with the chauffeur, with the option to drop off a bit away from the offic
"Y-yes," Adaline nervously replied. Their faces were too close, barely an inch apart, making Adaline feel awkward. "Are you alright? Your body is hot.""I don't feel well, everything aches," he answered softly. Adaline tried to get up, but Altezza stopped her. "Where are you going?" he asked softly."To get medicine. Is there a medical box here?""In the kitchen cabinet," Altezza replied.His arm, which had previously hugged Adaline, released her, and quickly Adaline got out of bed and went to the kitchen.The digital clock on the kitchen counter showed two in the morning. Adaline opened each cabinet until she found the medical box she was looking for. At least she hoped there was a fever reducer in there. Then she filled a large glass with warm water and took it back to the bedroom."Here's some paracetamol. Drink up," Adaline opened the packaging and handed it to Altezza, who accepted it and drank almost half the glass. "Do you want to change your clothes? Yours are wet," Altezza no
They arrived at the hotel, which was a branch of the Quirino family's hotel. Before leaving, they had a debate because Adaline forbade Altezza from driving herself. Eventually, feeling defeated, Altezza decided to hire a makeshift driver instead of using an online taxi service.Letizia and her family, along with Altezza's parents, were already waiting for them in the hotel restaurant area. They were enjoying snacks while waiting for Antony's entourage and family to arrive. Gian immediately stood up and greeted Adaline with his annoying greeting in Altezza's eyes."My beauty, why do you look more and more like an angel every day?" He praised with sparkling eyes. He attempted to embrace Adaline with both hands, but Altezza quickly redirected Adaline behind him."Remember, cousin. She's my wife," he growled hoarsely."Yes, yes, I know, but just for a moment, let your little brother hug her," he pleaded with a pout."No, Gian!" Altezza shook his head. His actions only made his head spin.
Altezza POVI gaze at Adaline with a whirlwind of emotions. Surprised, impressed, and annoyed all at once. Even the surprise I felt at her beauty earlier hasn't faded yet, and now? What other trials must I endure?How could that shy girl look so extraordinary standing on stage with her mesmerizing voice that captivates me, my family, and even the guests? Her aura just radiates. After her first lyric, she seemed to forget everything around her. As if her world is there, on that stage. And that's what makes me angry.No. This time I'll be more selfish. More selfish. I refuse to be sidelined again. Especially by obsession.No! Adaline is only mine. I won't trade her for anything. And by God, if a single word comes out of her lips saying she wants to be a star, then I'll use a hundred, a thousand, even a million ways to silence her.Adaline is back in her seat. I deliberately keep quiet about it. Childish, indeed. But I want her to know that I don't like what she did earlier. Even though
Adaline sat in the corner of the long sofa, watching TV as Altezza approached her. Instead of sitting down, he chose to lie down, placing his head on Adaline's lap."Feeling unwell," he said, reaching for Adaline's right hand and placing it on his forehead. Indirectly asking her to massage his head as she did earlier in the afternoon.Adaline complied, and her hands massaged both sides of Altezza's temples gently.Both of them fell silent. The only sound came from the TV Adaline had turned on. Meanwhile, Adaline thought her husband had fallen back asleep due to his illness. She was about to replace her thigh cushion with the sofa cushion, but he held her arm first."Madam..." Altezza spoke hesitantly. "There's something I need to discuss."Slowly, he rose from his reclined position and sat with his left knee bent on the sofa while his right leg dangled to the floor. Altezza turned his body fully towards Adaline, inevitably causing her to turn her body towards him."This is about the b
Adaline looked at her husband nervously. "I... I..." She felt like crying from embarrassment. Especially when she saw Altezza standing up and taking off the robe he was wearing, Adaline could only look up silently. Altezza must be disappointed and will leave her. She screamed in her heart. But that thought didn't prove true. Because Altezza instead reached behind Adaline's knees and swiftly lifted her up, causing Adaline to scream instantly. "S-Sir..?" Adaline screamed, reflexively hugging Altezza's neck tightly. Altezza carried Adaline and placed her on the bed. "S-Sir..?" Adaline called out again, but Altezza ignored her call, instead kneeling in front of Adaline's feet. He looked up, his face smiling gently. "Is this really your first time?" He asked with a mischievous smile that only made Adaline feel embarrassed and nervous. Adaline nodded her head. Altezza stood on both knees and approached Adaline, spreading her legs wide enough for him to stand between them and closing the
Altezza continued to descend towards Adaline's stomach, whispering something there that Adaline couldn't hear because her ears were ringing with arousal. Her hands could only grip the sheets tightly as a distraction from her rising passion. Then, Altezza's hands began to caress Adaline's thighs, spreading them wide as he brought his face closer to Adaline's heated and moist area. Feeling the warm breeze caressing her femininity, Adaline looked up. "Sir... please don't... Ahhh..." Adaline gripped the sheets tighter as she felt Altezza's warm tongue caressing her femininity. Her legs wanted to close, but Altezza's grip was stronger. Adaline could do nothing but squirm and moan. Whatever Altezza did, Adaline couldn't resist. It felt hot, ticklish, and something inside her seemed to push to come out. Her toes curled as the urge continued to try to escape, and Adaline struggled to hold it back. "Sir... let go..." she begged while sobbing. But Altezza ignored her. He seemed deaf and ins
Adaline woke up feeling sore and achy in several parts of her body. Nevertheless, she felt her body so warm. A sturdy arm hugged her stomach, and there were legs pressing against her thighs and calves. She shivered as she felt the regular and warm breaths there. Adaline bit her lower lip softly. Oh God, did she do anything wrong? She did all of this under the marriage vow. But why did she feel so embarrassed? Adaline tried to release the embrace around her stomach and legs. But as she halfway removed it, the strong arm returned to grab her body and hold her tight. "Where are you going, ma'am? The sun has yet to rise," Altezza whispered in her ear. His hair brushed against her neck, shoulder, and exposed back, making her ticklish and feel a strange sensation elsewhere on her body. "B-bathing," Adaline stuttered. Her hands clenched the thin blanket tightly covering her naked body. Altezza sat up and rested his head on his arm. His handsome
Adaline's POV:"Dad?" I saw my dad sitting on a bench in the park not far from our old rental house.Dad smiled, patting the empty space next to him, and reluctantly, I walked over and sat down."Why are you here?" I asked, glancing at our old house. The house we left when I entered middle school. The house filled with beautiful memories where I grew up."Do you forget? Back when we were moving, you cried incessantly. Saying to us how much you liked our old house."I smiled and nodded. I did cry a lot back then, begging my parents not to move from there.I didn't want to make new friends because I had a hard time socializing. But Dad said everything would be okay. In fact, if we moved, I would be even happier.Dad said I needed to learn to be more sociable because life is more beautiful with many friends."Why are we here?" I asked, confused.My dad smiled. His face looked so fresh, cheerful, and of course, handsome."Just a reminder that we once had a past," my dad said casually. "Do
Is this some sorta karma?Altezza gazed at his sleeping wife, deeply asleep. The doctor managed to save her. Save their baby.After experiencing a heart attack and losing a lot of blood, his wife could finally return to them. Even though his wife is now declared in a coma, just like himself.Oh God. Is this my payback for all my past mistakes?Why are You like this to me?"Wake up, Darling. Please wake up quickly. Don't you have pity on our two children? I haven't even been able to give them names yet." Altezza whispered to his wife's hand.That hand was so small and weak. The hand that had been holding his all this time. The hand that had always touched him gently. Regardless of what Altezza had ever done to her.Altezza reluctantly rose from his seat. "I'll be right back, hurry and wake up." Altezza kissed his wife's forehead. He bid farewell to his mother and mother-in-law before leaving the hospital.He still limped, his leg condition worsening as he carried Adaline back then, but
Adaline accompanied Altezza back to the hospital for his therapy session. Three times a week, they spent two hours together, even though all Adaline did was watch. After the therapy, Gian would come and accompany them to take Adaline for her prenatal exercises. Altezza never liked it; he always felt jealous whenever Gian took his place as Adaline's companion. But what could he do? His body still wasn't healthy enough to assist. He just hoped that when Adaline gave birth, he would be the one by her side, not Gian.As for Adaline's pregnancy, she was now at 36 weeks, with three to four weeks left until delivery. Stefanie continued to persuade her wife to opt for a cesarean section during delivery, but Adaline remained firm in her decision to have a normal birth, despite knowing the condition of her body.But whatever happened in the future, he only hoped that Adaline would give birth safely. As well as their two babies.Was it just his imagination, or were they being followed since leav
Everyone was running towards the front room. Objects flew, hitting the walls and crashing into pieces. Ceramic and glass shards scattered on the floor. Along with it, the sounds of screams and curses echoed. It was deafening to everyone witnessing it.Yes, Jovanka was raging in her residence. She looked at her assistant with a sharp gaze while Evans stood silently with his blank expression."What's going on?" Cindy glanced between Evans and Jovanka. The middle-aged couple behind her were holding hands in worry and fear simultaneously. "Evans?" Cindy looked at Evans again, seeking an answer.Evans carefully navigated through the glass shards and picked up the papers Jovanka had crumpled in anger. It was a police summons addressed to Jovanka. Not only that, but Cindy also noticed several swollen credit card bills, penalty invoices from the agency's law firm, all addressed to Jovanka Lawrence.Cindy looked at Evans, and Evans returned the gaze. "I told you to stop. But you never cared."
"I'm still better than him, Ada. I won't hurt you. I also won't leave you waiting while I'm in a coma. Because I never wanted to be in a coma. Not like him who left you waiting for so long with the excuse of being in a coma," Gian replied again."Damn you! Come on, Brother, quickly take him home. If possible, send him straight back to Italy to his parents," pleaded Altezza, looking pitiful.Antony sighed. He slapped his thighs and stood up. "I need him, Al. I need a right-hand man since you took Duncan. Come on, Gian, get up." He ordered softly. Gian complied."Thank you," Altezza replied as Antony was willing to fulfill his request."We're going home, Ada," Antony replied, acknowledged by Adaline's nod. "But if you're indeed tempted by Gian's words, just contact me. I'll willingly help you file for divorce from your husband," he replied flatly.Altezza gaped at him while Gian cheered happily. "Yes!" He shouted."Damn you both! Get out of here! Never show up here again!" Altezza yelle
Altezza is indeed conscious, but that doesn't mean she can go home freely. Her broken bones have indeed improved during her coma period, but she still needs intensive care. Because her body didn't move for three months, some parts of her body became swollen and stiff. So, Altezza has to undergo regular therapy.The wound on her head has also dried up. Although the doctor stated that Altezza would definitely have side effects due to the surgery.Meanwhile, after Altezza regained consciousness, the legal process began. During the accident, it turns out that Altezza wasn't the only victim. Two other cars were also hit in the incident. So, the total accident involved four cars and nine victims, although it didn't result in any fatalities. However, among the nine people, Altezza suffered the most severe injuries, while the others only suffered minor injuries.Adaline has never wanted to know the cause of the accident. And her family has never discussed it in front of her to protect her and
Adaline felt kicks in her stomach. She groaned softly. Her eyes opened, and she could see the hospital ceiling in front of her.Wasn't she in the ICU earlier? Since when was she moved to the regular ward?Adaline glanced at the bed next to her. It was clear she had returned to the regular room she had been in. But her husband's bed, which was usually occupied, was empty.Adaline closed her eyes with her arm. She felt the IV needle in her left hand. It seemed she had passed out again, something that had happened frequently lately.Adaline heard her room door open, but she didn't want to turn or see anyone who came in.Footsteps and the sound of wheels approached her bed."Madam..."That voice? It sounded hoarse, but Adaline knew it so well. The voice she had longed to hear. Unwanted tears fell again. How could she daydream at a time like this..."Madam, do you really not want to see me again?"The tone of that voice? It sounded sad yet also joyful at the same time."Are you teasing me
Adaline sat motionless in her place. Her husband's body trembled violently, then convulsed momentarily. All the screens next to the man blared loudly.Adaline could only stare at her husband with an empty gaze. Someone wrapped their arms around her shoulders, pulling her back just as the paramedics arrived."We're leaving, Honey," said Delila's voice. Adaline turned her head and shook it, but Delila kept urging her to go."Mamma... Altezza... he..." she pointed to her husband. Mrs. Delila only nodded and continued to escort her out of the ICU room.Her mother-in-law settled Adaline into a long chair in the hallway. Adaline sat in silence. The commanding screams echoed only in her head. She twisted her hands, praying silently, hoping that God would return the man she loved.This wasn't the first time Altezza had an attack. But it was always frightening for her whenever it happened.Three months. Altezza had been in a coma for three months. Although the doctors said he showed progress,
Altezza opened his eyes, but he quickly covered them with one hand. The dazzling light hurt his eyes. Altezza squinted, trying to adjust his vision and figure out where he was now. As far as he remembered, he had just had an accident, but strangely what he saw now was not the ceiling of a hospital or the view of a treatment room, but large branches and dense foliage.Altezza sat up. He was quite surprised because he didn't feel the pain he should feel. He looked at his body and felt fine. But why was he there? Why was he in this vast green field? Why was he lying under a shady tree before?Altezza turned and was quite surprised to see someone he knew sitting next to him and even smiling at him. "Sir?" he asked, surprised.How long had they not met? If Altezza remembered correctly, the last time he saw that man was about eight years ago. "What are you doing here?" Altezza asked again.The man stared back at Altezza in surprise. "I should be asking you the same. Why are you here?" The m