The leather beneath the chair in which Bernice sat was smooth and cool, much like the life one will slip into so easily. She eased back a bit, letting the soft hum of engines murmur with her mind as she let the world slide by her window, blurring into green, blue, and gray striations. Her reflection stared back at her, a woman in charge now, covered in the type of luxury she had never imagined. Now the mansion, the clothes, the jewels were hers. None of it could turn her mind away from the real reason that she married Rafael—revenge.And the smile stayed on her lips. It didn't waver as she sipped that champagne Rafael had poured for her, filled with admiration and maybe love in his eyes. Ironically, this man had everything: money, power, looks. And he was now totally at her mercy. He didn't know; he had become but a pawn in her game, the tool to punish those who wronged her.When it pulled up in front of the boutique, Bernice turned to find Rafael typing furiously on his phone—no doub
The heat appeared to cling to Bernice, even here inside the mansion. It was hard to rid herself of the tension that had built up during the drive with her. Every minute crawled like hours, with her innocence grating on my nerves like sandpaper, and each further mistake jabbed at his patience. By the time they ran into Olivia, he was hanging on by a thread; the edges starting to fray at the seams with every passing second.Ethan stormed down the hallway, hardly noticing the servants who scurried out of his way. His head was such a jumbled tangle of anger and frustration. He needed space, a moment to breathe, a moment to clear his head. But that moment never arrived."Ethan.His feet stopped at the sound of her voice. He turned slowly, every muscle of his body tightening as his gaze met Olivia's. She was standing at the main door entrance, a portrait in calmness, a small smile playing on her lips as if she hadn't just thrown a grenade into my day. He had wanted to avoid her, just wante
"Round two, Ethan," Bernice giggled, smacking the chair as she buckled her seatbelt. Late sun rays dived through the car windows into a huge affectionate embrace.His fingers clamped harder around the rim of the steering wheel, and his clenched jaw gripped even tighter. He had been trying all morning to evade this, but for Bernice, another driving class was a must. Until he finally snapped, he said, "Can't you see, Bernice? It is time you ask for another instructor; this is not funny anymore, and I am tired of your games."Bernice waved the complaint off and smiled. "Never, Ethan, you're doing just fine. Besides, I just love these small moments we spend together."Ethan heaved a sigh of frustration, and his fingers started drumming up and down the wheel. "You cherish these moments, huh? Maybe you just like driving me nuts.""Maybe," Bernice teased, a twinkle in the eyes. "But it's your job, isn't it? To teach me stuff.""To teach you?" he growled, "or to endure this torture?" and Bern
"Ethan, you're delusional."Rafael's tone was scornful as he rolled his eyes away, rocking back in his chair with a glass of whiskey clutched between fingers. Ethan sat across from him. Animosity stretched across the table from him. The room was black and the fire dancing in the fireplace threw undulating shadows across the walls."It's not a delusion," Ethan persisted, his voice measured but razor-edged. "I've seen the way she looks at him, the way they interact. Bernice isn't loyal to you, Rafael. She's using you."Rafael's jaw flexed, but he didn't speak right away. He swirled the whiskey around his glass. His narrowed eyes considered Ethan's words. "And you're telling me this out of the kindness of your heart?"His body tipped forward, his eyes locked onto Ethan's. "I'm telling you this because you deserve to know the truth. You don't care about Bernice, but you care about your reputation. You really want to be that fool whom everybody is laughing at behind closed doors?"His eyes
"Thanks for the ride, Liam," Bernice said, finally outside the car and offering him a gracious, warm smile."Anytime, Bernice," Liam told her, his eyes loitering a bit on her for one last moment before he nodded. "Take care of yourself, okay?”She nodded and waved after him as he pulled away. It had been nice, just a quiet dinner with Liam and talking about life. She did feel a little lighter, but strange unease had settled in her chest as she made her way up the drive to the house she shared with Rafael.A cold draft hit Bernice in the face as she pushed open the front door. The only sound in the house was that of the refrigerator. She stepped inside, then stopped to listen to the thudding of her heart, waiting for Rafael's voice to call her name, but there was nothing."Rafael?" she called, peering across the semifull/dim living room. She could make out his outline sitting on the couch, staring at a blank television screen. "Rafael, I'm back."He didn't move, didn't even turn in the
"Where is Rafael?" Bernice demanded, tones quivering with anger and desperation, as she finally turned to face him. Indeed, she had not even bothered blotting the tears still staining her cheeks. "I'm not signing anything until I see him."Ethan's face remained ice, unconvinced by the rebellious act. There he stood, aloof, gazing at her, as he had a few minutes earlier-with his hand clutched to the divorce papers. "Bernice, this is no subject for discussion. Rafael does not wish to see you; he has decided.".Bernice shook her head, unreceptive. "Then he can come and tell me that himself," she returned. "I deserve to hear it from him. If he wants me out of this house, then he'll have to look me square in the eye and tell me why."Ethan squared his jaw, ticking his face in frustration for a second. "You're making everything way harder than it has to be," he threatened, coming nearer in a low, dangerous tone.Bernice didn't twitch. "No," she said firmly, tightly securing her face with he
"What are you still doing here?" Rafael asked, finally pent-up irritation to boil over as he moved into the living room; he had been hoping that by now Bernice would have packed up her things and made her exit quietly. Here she was, though, right in the middle of his living room, still defiant and unbowed.The sight of her rejuvenated his anger all anew. He could look at her, and all that stared back was betrayal—acting out what she had been doing all this while. And worse still, he saw how blind he was to it all."I cannot do this." Bernice's voice quivered as her eyes stuck to the divorce papers lying before her, splayed on the desk. Her fingers trembled to try and hold the pen steady in her hand, which felt like it weighed a ton.She sat down in her room, surrounded by heavy silence, her thoughts racing. All would be renounced: her marriage to Rafael, her plan of revenge, above all—her dignity. She almost heard mocking laughter from Ethan and saw a smug look on Olivia's face while
"I saw you," he said, with a betrayed look in his eyes. "In the restaurant. With that man. You were smiling at him, laughing with him like… like I didn't even exist."Her eyes widened in surprise. How was he able to know this secret? "Are you saying I'm having an affair with someone else?" Bernice voiced out angrily; her eyes slanted, pinched, staring at him.Rafael's heart thumped against his chest as his consciousness seized at the realization of what he said. He had just unmasked himself and given her a glimpse of what he tried to hold off, leaving him standing there completely vulnerable, far more than before. “Stop acting all innocent like you don't know what I am talking about."I didn't cheat on you, Raf". Her eyes looked like she was about to tear up. "It just feels like you have already laid the sentencing in your mind".Rafael said nothing back. His throat strangled with effort as he kept trying to get the right words to say. He had been so clear and determined to leave th
The chandeliers of the mansion were bright and starlike, splashing golden light upon varnished floors, Bunches of flowers scented the atmosphere as one heard the sound of reverberating laughter and music across the halls and jingling sounds that waiters made around the crowds with flutes of fine champagnes and hors d'oeuvres on their trays."Is everything ready for the toast?" Rafael demanded from one of the serving people. Authority was in his voice while his eyes played around the room."Yes, sir. Champagne is ready and so are the musicians," he said with a slight bow and scurried away.Rafael turned his eyes on Bernice, standing near the middle of the room in her glittering emerald gown. She covers it quite well, yet he manages to see right through it, to the scared smile below. Rafael moved to her, threaded an arm reassuringly around the nape of her lower back."You look lovely tonight," he whispered softly, clear into her ear."Thanks," she whispered, looking into the hall. "I ju
Sheets of rain lashed outside a small café across Liam's apartment complex as Alexander sat nursing coffee that was already cold, which he had not touched. His gaze turned out the door expecting Liam to walk in. Hoping he got his text. The anchoring weight on this day further depressed his body. The sound of defeat played out in his head until the door finally swung open, and Liam came in with drips coming off his umbrella."Alexander," he said, shock mingling with the sudden sobering of his tone. "Never thought I'd be coming in here to find you of all people waiting. What's up?"Alexander motioned to the empty chair opposite him. "Sit down. I need someone to talk to, and you're the perfect person at the moment.”Liam raised one eyebrow but did as instructed, tugging his coat off and hooking it over the back of the chair. "This does sound serious. Let me take a guess, it's about Bernice."Alexander exhaled with a heavy sigh, and the strain in his voice betrayed him. "It is always ab
"Two daddies?" Luca echoed, his voice full of wonder. "Does that mean we get two birthday parties too?"In the naivety of the question, a small, bitter laugh was dragged from Bernice. "Oh, sweetheart…", she started, but her words caught in her throat as tension pulled thick in the air.Rafael hunched down beside him, his features soft but strained. "It means you'll always have more people who love you. But I'm your father, Luca. You and Mia…you're my everything.”Luca looked up at him and furrowed his little brow as the meaning of Rafael's words digested. "But Uncle Alex takes care of us. Is he not our daddy too?"Mia stared at them, clutching her stuffed animal tightly. "Uncle Alex is fun…is he still our daddy?"Alexander had been leaning quietly against the wall until now; he stepped forward, his face composed, an edge laced in his voice. "I'll always be here for you, just like I always have been. But…," he paused, his eyes flicking to Bernice before he finished, "…your real father
The shrill ringtone of Rafael’s phone broke through the tense silence. Bernice flinched, startled from her thoughts as Rafael answered. His expression, initially sharp, softened slightly as he listened.“She’s awake?” His voice carried a mix of relief and urgency. “We’re on our way.”Bernice’s heart leaped at his words. “Mia?”Rafael nodded, snapping his phone shut. “The hospital called. She’s asking for you.”Without waiting for another word, Rafael pulled Bernice to his car, started the engine and pressed the gas pedal, speeding toward the hospital. Alexander’s car followed close behind, his headlights glaring in the rearview mirror like unspoken accusations.“I’ll need to explain things to her and Luca” Bernice murmured, her voice trembling as she twisted her hands in her lap."You will get the chance," Rafael replied tightly, his eyes fixed on the road. "But it is no longer just about you. It's time the kids knew the truth."Bernice's chest tightened; she wanted to argue but knew
"Gate 27B. Last call for flight 489 to São Paulo," the calm, automated voice echoed over the airport intercom.Detective Marcus was concealed behind a pillar, his striking eyes scouring the busy terminal. So excited, he could hardly contain his accelerating heartbeat. He then glanced at his watch-just at this time, Olivia's got to pop up. Every single lead, each and every crumb-into which he had looked-intimidated him before it all boiled down into this. Marcus reached for his radio."All units, Gate 27B. This one's not going to make it," ordered Marcus.Across the terminal, Olivia sashayed confidently through the crowd, arm linked with a man whose face bore a cruel smirk—Sebastian Reyes, the man who had framed Bernice three years ago. They looked relaxed, like a couple off on a romantic getaway. Olivia's sunglasses shielded her eyes, but her smile was bold, too bold. She believed she had won.“They really thought they could stop us?" Sebastian whispered, his hand tightly squeezing
"Run the footage again," Rafael ordered sharply, voice as keen as a razor. Fingers clasping the edge of his desk, white-knuckled. His assistant Gabriel blinked and then replayed the security footage on Rafael's big office screen.Rafael's eyes narrowed as the figure coming into view was one he could never mistake: his nephew, Ethan. Wearing a sharp suit, Ethan navigated the restricted areas within the company with confidence. It wasn't just access to the right places that remained an outstanding thing but what he was doing with it."There," Rafael pointed. "Pause it.Gabriel froze the footage; Ethan slipped a small USB drive into the server room. "We thought it was a cyber-attack," Rafael whispered, his quiet tone boiling with anger beneath. "It was him all along."Gabriel nodded grimly. "It matches perfectly with the timeline of events. Every major breach happened after he had entered the server room.Rafael leaned back, running a hand over his face. His heart pounded with a mixture
"Is everyone in position?" Rafael's voice sliced the tense air like a knife as his eyes scrutinised the dimly lit industrial warehouse ahead.Detective Marcus adjusted his earpiece. "Yes. My team has got the perimeter covered. When they hand over Luca, we move in."Rafael's jaw clamped down as he turned to Alexander and Liam. Both of them stood close, their faces taut and resolute. For once, they had the same purpose in mind.Alexander shifted weight. "This better work. If anything happens to Luca-""It won't," Rafael cut in. His tone was final. "We will get my son back tonight.""Your son?" Alexander sneered. "Don't forget Bernice's stake in this thing. She is the only one here holding things together while you play the hero."Rafael's eyes darkened. "This isn't the time for petty arguments. Luca's life is at stake."Liam's voice cut in them, raising a hand. "Enough. We focus on the rescue. Settle your issues later."There was no sound for a moment, but for the distant thrum of the c
"Pass the salt, mi amor," Rafael said in a low voice, never once taking his gaze off Bernice's face.It was this note that made Bernice blink. They sat opposite to each other at the wide, dining table-the candle flame leaping, squirming across its brilliant facets between them. But she said nothing, merely pushed the salt toward him with extended fingers, which touched his with glancing fingers, and, for an instant, all bitterness over, his eyes melted almost down; moved her so that she"Thanks, dear," he stammered, his curled lip twisting into a small warm smile.Madam, the head housekeeper, watched them across the room in silent pleasure. She had worked for the Fernandez family for years and had practically witnessed their rollercoaster love affair up and down. And for the first time in years, she saw them finally together again."I'm so happy to see you both like this," Madam whispered softly.Before Bernice could get a word out, one of the younger maids entered with a tray of win
"Are you sure you'll be fine by yourself?" Rafael asked as his hand rested on Bernice's waist, standing by the car outside the hospital. His touch was warm, familiar, and far too comforting for Bernice's liking."I'm fine, Rafael," Bernice said finally, though conviction eluded her tone. She stepped back, releasing his hold.Rafael laughed low, a knowing kind of sound. "You did that very same thing last night, remember? Right before you-""Stop." Bernice's eyes went wide as she scanned the car park, her cheeks ablaze with color. She did not need to be reminded how she let her guard down.His teasing grin deepened. "What, before you told me you loved me?""I didn't mean it," she muttered without looking his way.“Are you sure about that?" Rafael leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "Because it sounded pretty real when you said it in my arms."Her breath hitched, and she shoved him lightly. "Go to work, Rafael."He laughed, stepping back but not before giving her one last, long look. "