LEXI'S POV"Lex," Chase called out to me.The three of us were now in Chelsea’s room. But Chelsea had gone downstairs to grab some snacks, leaving me staring out the window. From here, I could see the garden where Grandma Mirasol and Shiela were talking."I think my sister is badmouthing me to your grandmother," I said, my voice tinged with worry.Chase let out a deep breath. I felt his arms wrap around my waist, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder."You don’t have to worry about Grandma. You showed her who you truly are six years ago," he said seriously.I smiled as memories of the past came flooding back. "The world is really small. To think that one of the reasons I was able to finish school was because of your grandmother. She’s so kind, Grey. I am seeing my late grandmother to her.""You don’t need to worry about her. She’s on our side," he reassured me.That’s when I realized something. I turned to face him, still wrapped in his arms."Wait, does she know about our agreement
LEXI'S POVAfter everything, Chase and I agreed to stay the night at his family's house. I could feel that his father had already accepted me, but what lingered in my mind was his stepmother. She had remained silent and simply observed us earlier. I didn’t want to assume she was like Aunt Minda, but I couldn’t help but worry. Still, I felt somewhat relieved now that Chase's family had agreed to formally visit mine. This meant our wedding was finally happening."Chase, my grandson, I’ll allow you to sleep in the same room, but I must ask you, please, don’t let me have a great-grandchild before the wedding. Be a gentleman, alright?" Grandma Mirasol reminded him.I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw Chase’s face turn red."And you, Lexi. Don’t surrender just yet, alright?" she teased, turning to me.This time, it was Chase who laughed. I secretly pinched his side in retaliation. If only Grandma knew I’d already surrendered that."Don’t worry, Grandma. Go on and sleep," Chase urged her."
CHASE'S POV9 years ago...It was the first day of school, and I was already on campus early. While walking, my friend Jay suddenly tapped me on the shoulder. He is my teammate in basketball and has been my classmate since junior high school.“I heard there were a lot of transferees this year,” he began.That wasn’t surprising. Many schools in our area only went up to junior high, so most students transferred here for senior high.“Stop it. You won’t get anything from it,” I replied flatly. I know Jay too well—he has a thing for transferee girls who match his type.“Did you know the sister of your persistent admirer is studying here now?” he added, walking beside me.I didn’t respond because a girl caught my attention. I saw her trip and fall flat on the ground, almost kissing the pavement. The laughter of the crowd filled the air, and I could only shake my head.“She could’ve been pretty, but she’s nerdy and clumsy,” Jay commented, also witnessing what happened.Honestly, I hated thi
LEXI'S POV"Is everything you said true?" I asked, still in disbelief.Chase smiled slightly. "Do I have any reason to lie to you?" he replied with a question.I avoided his gaze. I didn’t know what to say. I only found the courage to agree to his proposal because I assumed he never really loved me before. I quickly set aside my uneasiness, thinking that our past no longer mattered since it was all just a game.But when I heard from him that there was never a bet and that he was genuinely serious about me, it felt like I had been transported back in time. The feelings, the atmosphere, the memories—it was as if I was a teenager again."I'm sorry for doubting you back then," I finally said.Chase took a deep breath. "I can’t blame you, Lexi. For nine months, you heard nothing from the other students but the word 'bet.' I failed you too. I shouldn’t have let them poison your mind."I flopped onto his bed, my feet still resting on the carpet. I stared at the ceiling, my mind replaying eve
LEXI'S POV"Thank you for agreeing to meet me."I offered a faint smile. Here I was, sitting in a popular restaurant after receiving a message from my father. He wanted to talk to me before Chase’s family formally came to ask for my hand in marriage. I didn’t hesitate to agree because this would be the first time we could talk one-on-one since I left his house."Why did you want to talk to me?" was all I managed to ask."I wanted to personally apologize for everything—what your sister did, and all my shortcomings as your father," he said sincerely.I bowed my head and took a deep breath to keep my tears from falling."I only now realize that in my desire to make amends to my wife and Shiela for my past mistakes, I neglected your feelings. I didn’t want to show favoritism towards you because I knew it would hurt them more. I also thought, like your mother, you were strong and independent enough to handle things on your own.I assumed they accepted you. It was only recently that I learn
THIRD POVWhile in the car, Lexi felt restless because of the anxiety she was experiencing. They were now on their way to her father's house. She was in the car with Chase while Chase’s parents were in the other vehicle. Chase was also quiet, seemingly nervous about what was going to happen.After an hour, they finally arrived at the house. Lexi took a deep breath before getting out of the car."Are you ready?" Chase asked her.She nodded gently. She had a lot of trust in what her father had told her, that he supported their marriage. However, she still couldn’t shake off her nerves, worrying about what trouble Shiela might cause again."Don't worry. I won't let them hurt you," Chase said seriously, kissing her on the forehead.A moment later, Chase’s whole family also got out of the car. Among them was Grandma Mirasol, who said she would make sure that the discussion between the two families would go smoothly, and that the wedding would go ahead."Please come in," Linda greeted them
LEXI'S POVThe days flew by so fast that I barely noticed. I have been swamped with work at the office since month-end was approaching. Chase was also busy with their company, so we entrusted the wedding preparations to an organizer. Chase assured me there was nothing to worry about as he hired the best event organizer in the country.Savina, on the other hand, teased me, saying I was the only bride she’d seen who wasn’t stressed about wedding planning. The truth is, I had no idea what our wedding would look like. I never even met the organizer. I felt awkward asking Chase about it since the one time I did, he simply said it would be the grandest wedding ever.Our wedding became the talk of the nation. The proposal video Chase planned went viral, so people eagerly anticipated the event. Adding to the buzz, TAC Group of Companies officially introduced Chase and Chelsea as the heirs of their massive empire. Because of this, I often felt eyes watching my every move. Whether entering or l
LEXI'S POVWhile Chase and I were in the car, I stayed silent. I just stared out the window as he drove seriously. I could hear him sigh occasionally, and I felt like he kept glancing at me. I didn't look back at him because I didn't want to talk to him just yet."About the pictures, I have already told my team to have them removed from all the sites," he broke the silence."Okay," I replied curtly."Look, Lexi. Those pictures were from the time she had me go to the bar. If you remember, that was also the first time you showed up to her as my girlfriend," he explained further.I shut my eyes tightly, still facing the window. "You don't have to explain everything, Grey. We're not really in a relationship."I tried to keep my voice from sounding bitter. I tried not to show any emotion because I didn’t want to confuse him with my behavior. After all, we were just pretending, so I shouldn't let those pictures affect me. They shouldn't disrupt our plan to get back at my sister."Lexi Ann,
LEXI’S POVI couldn’t stop smiling as I stared at Chase’s things here in the room where he had proposed to me. It had been six months since that day—six months since our baby was born. Now and then, I sneak away just to come back here and revisit the past, back when we were still in high school.I still can’t believe he managed to keep almost everything—from the letters I gave him, to the photos we had taken in that old studio, even the receipts from the convenience store where we used to get ice cream all the time. Most of the writing on the receipts had faded, almost unreadable now.“So this is where you’ve been hiding.”“Goodness, you startled me!”Chase laughed at my reaction when he suddenly spoke. I glared at him, but he quickly stepped closer and kissed me on the forehead.“You’re so cute when you’re startled, Baby,” he said.“How’d you know I was here?” I asked, steering the conversation.“I heard that you always sneak in here whenever Baby Trem is napping,” he replied serious
LEXI'S POVFLASHBACK (9 years ago)"Hey, Lexi, you're going with us on the field trip, right? I'm so excited!"I looked at Savina, who was already sitting beside me. It was our lunch break, and we decided to hang out inside the classroom instead of going outside. We had just finished eating, and Savina was worried that we might run into Shiela if we stepped out—my sister tended to bully me whenever the opportunity presented itself."Yeah. I have already told Papa. Since Shiela's going, I have to go too," I replied seriously."So, if Shiela decides not to go, you're not going either? Gosh, you're like your witch sister's shadow," she said, pouting.I gave her a light smack on the arm. "Keep your voice down. Someone might hear you."Savina rolled her eyes at me. "I don’t get you sometimes. You let your sister treat you like that. You’re being way too much of a pushover," she said, clearly disappointed.I gave her a small smile. We’d had this conversation so many times, but I never got t
LEXI’S POVI couldn’t hold back my tears as I took in the entire room. It was filled with stolen pictures of me, from as far back as high school, all the way through my working years. There were so many that they nearly covered the entire space. Tiny lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow across the room. The floor was blanketed in petals from different kinds of flowers.And when my gaze landed on the man kneeling in the center of the room, I instinctively covered my mouth. He was crying too, holding a small red box. The moment the light hit what was inside, it sparkled."Hi, Baby," he said with a smile, despite his tears still falling."Grey..." was all I managed to say."Didn’t I tell you I would make things right once the chaos was over? And this is the right time to do it. Lexi, please... marry me again."I was about to answer when a sudden sharp pain hit my lower back. I instinctively clutched my belly."Baby, are you coming out now?" I whispered, gently rubbing my ver
LEXI'S POVThe months passed quickly. We won the cases we filed against Aunt Minda and Aunt Anna, and they were both sentenced to life imprisonment. As for Shiela, she has completely lost her sanity and is now confined to a mental institution to recover. A lot has changed since the chaos ended.I’m once again managing my father's company. Papa is now resting at home, having fully passed on the business to me. Chelsea returned to the U.S. with Grandma Mirasol to finish her studies there. Chase and I are temporarily staying at the Sandoval mansion while our own house is under construction. Their home is much closer to our workplaces, so we decided it would be more convenient to stay there for now.Chase is now running TAC, as Papa Carlo has retired. He just travels back and forth between the U.S. and the Philippines now, enjoying his free time.My belly is huge now—in fact, I'm due any moment. Chase no longer allows me to go to the office, so my secretary comes to the house to bring doc
LEXI'S POVI looked away the moment I saw Shiela standing near us. Her hands were still in handcuffs, and two police officers were keeping close watch over her. If I wasn’t mistaken, she was about to be taken to a psychiatrist for evaluation.“Shiela, my child,” Papa said through tears as he approached my sister.“Child? Do you still consider me your child? You didn’t even tell me you had recovered. You made me believe you hadn’t yet,” Shiela said, crying.I felt Chase hold my hand. I looked at him, and he gave me a small, reassuring smile. I knew he was just trying to give me strength at that moment.“I did that for everyone’s sake, Shiela.”“For everyone’s sake or for your precious daughter Lexi’s sake? Well, I shouldn’t be surprised. She’s always been your favorite.”“That’s not true. You are both my children. In fact, I gave you more attention before because I didn’t want you to feel like you had to compete with your sister,” Papa explained gently.“Why does it feel like I owe you
LEXI’S POV"Gino!"We turned to look at Gino's sister as she arrived at the hospital. Chase had chosen to call her to inform her of what had happened. He believed their parents were abroad."Don’t be so dramatic. It’s just a scratch," Gino said, trying to calm his sister."Still! Tell me, which of my men shot you?" Charlene asked frantically."Enough, Charlene. I’m not the victim here. It’s Lexi."Charlene slowly turned to look at me. She couldn’t meet my eyes and kept fiddling with her fingers."Sorry. Shiela told me she would hand you over to Gino. I thought I was making the right decision," she said softly."No worries, Charlene. I know you were just thinking of your brother. But everything’s fine now," I said seriously.I really had no intention of dragging Gino’s sister into this any further. Yes, Shiela used one of her men, but everything was already too messy to involve Charlene. Besides, Chase had already told me that even before Shiela called him, Gino had already informed hi
THIRD POVLexi was about to reach for Gino’s hand to go with him when they both froze—Shiela’s cell phone suddenly rang. They simultaneously turned to look at the young woman as she fished the phone out of her bag. Lexi was suddenly filled with anxiety for a reason she couldn't quite explain.“Yes, Charlene?” Shiela answered the call.“You fool! Where are you right now? Have you got Lexi yet?” Charlene asked nervously.“Why? What’s wrong?” Shiela asked, confused.“My god, Shiela! If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have let you use my people. I might get dragged into your family’s mess,” Charlene snapped.“Wait, wait—what are you talking about?”“Don’t you know yet? Your mother is already in police custody. She’s being charged with murder.”Shiela turned pale at the news. Her heartbeat quickened with fear, and her hands began to sweat.“A-are you sure about that?”"Shiela, it’s on national TV. The whole country knows what your mother did, and Chase’s mother is involved, too.
THIRD POVShiela gave a bitter smile upon hearing the voice of the man who had hurt her repeatedly. The sweet, affectionate tone he used with her just days ago was now gone. It was all an act—to get information about her mother.“Relax. There’s no need to get mad, Chase. They’re safe for now,” she said emotionlessly.“Don’t you dare hurt them,” Chase said, panic in his voice.She smiled again and sighed deeply. “You’ve got some nerve to say that to me now. You lied to me and gave me false hope. All those lies—for what? To get information?”“And why would I get information from you? Do you even know what really happened with the fire in my condo back then?” Chase shot back.Shiela froze, still burning with rage. She took a deep breath as the man she had called earlier finally arrived. He was panting, clearly having run a long way to reach the location. She gave him a faint smile and turned her attention back to the person on the phone.“I’m sure you won’t report this to the police. Eve
THIRD POVChase’s office was thick with tension. His father and his sister Chelsea were there. Spread out on his table were the pieces of evidence he had gathered to strengthen the case he filed against his stepmother and her lover, Minda. His father examined them one by one, while he and Chelsea waited in silence for his reaction.“Papa, I’m sorry that this is how you had to find out everything,” he finally broke the silence.Chelsea stepped closer to him and held his hand tightly. He was immensely grateful to his sister; despite the pain of everything happening, she still chose to stand by what was right. Now, all he hoped was that their father would do the same.Carlo slowly set the papers down and let out a deep sigh. “I never thought my wife would go this far,” he said, clearly dismayed.The siblings exchanged glances. Their father was calm. He didn’t even look surprised—almost as if he already knew all of it.“Papa,” Chelsea called softly.“I’ve known for a long time that your m