LEXI'S POV"I don't know how to tell Papa and Chelsea about what I’ve discovered," Chase said in a low voice after recounting everything he had learned.I could no longer hold back my tears. Everything I had just found out was overwhelming, and I didn’t even know how to react. Papa had just woken up, but he still couldn't speak. He had no way of telling me what really caused his attack. I had no idea how much he knew about Aunt Minda.And now, I had learned that Chase’s stepmother was Aunt Minda’s lover and accomplice in the accident that killed my mother. If we could get the truck driver to testify, it would be enough to put Aunt Minda behind bars. But along with that would come the destruction of Chase’s family. And I didn’t know how Chelsea and Uncle Carlo would take it.I had no problem if my father’s family fell apart—he didn’t deserve someone like my stepmother. I wouldn’t hesitate to expose the whole truth to finally get justice for my mother. But Chase’s family was different.
LEXI'S POVFor nearly two hours, I sat by my mother’s grave, lost in my thoughts. Eventually, my tears stopped falling on their own. I had also turned off my phone to keep anyone from disturbing me. I made sure to let Chase know that I was fine, so he wouldn’t worry. We both needed time and space to think. We had needed each other before, but for now, perhaps being apart was what we truly needed.I finally decided to stand up, brushing off the dirt from my clothes. I had to return to the hospital. My father needed me there.“I’ll visit again, Mama. I love you so much, and I miss you terribly.”I turned to leave, but in my absentmindedness, I failed to notice someone approaching. I only snapped back to reality when a firm, but gentle hand caught my arm.“Lexi.”I looked up and was momentarily startled. “Gino… It’s you.”Standing before me was Gino, Chase’s former teammate—the same man who had helped us when Shiela got drunk at the bar.“Yeah. I’ve been calling your name, but you seemed
LEXI'S POV"Where are you? You're not here at the hospital," Chase's voice greeted me the moment I answered his call.I let out a deep sigh. "I'm on my way back, but there's someone I need to talk to first. Do you have anything else scheduled?" I asked in return."I canceled my other appointments. Do you want me to go with you?" His voice carried a serious undertone."No, it's okay, Grey This won't take long. I'll be back soon.""Alright, be careful. Call me if you need anything. I love you, Baby.""I love you too, Grey."I ended the call and started driving. After my conversation with Gino, I received another call—this time from my father’s lawyer. He provided little detail, only emphasizing that our meeting was crucial and had to remain confidential. I had no clue what this was about, especially since this was the first time I would ever speak to him.The meeting place wasn’t far, and in less than thirty minutes, I arrived at an upscale restaurant with private VIP rooms. Attorney Ar
LEXI'S POV"Are you ready?"I looked at Chase when he entered our room. Like me, he was already dressed for his meetings at their company. I, too, was ready because today was the board meeting to elect the new CEO of my father’s company. As the attorney mentioned yesterday, Aunt Minda was the one who called for the meeting, claiming that my father was no longer capable of running the company due to his condition. The thought of it made me even angrier at my stepmother. Her deception of my father had gone too far."I'm not sure if I can handle the responsibility, but I have to do this because my father’s hard work means a lot to him," I said seriously.My husband approached me and hugged me tightly. "Of course, you can do this, Lex," he reassured me."Would you help me? I need your expertise in managing a business," I asked sincerely. One of the reasons I found the courage to take on this role was knowing that he would guide me. He knew how to run a company."I got your back, always,"
LEXI'S POVAfter the meeting, I immediately stepped out of the conference room. The board had given the management a day to set up my office, so I could officially start at Castillon Corporation. Without wasting any time, I informed Chase that I was now the CEO of my father’s company. Just like me, I knew he was feeling a mix of happiness and fear—because this new role put my safety at even greater risk."Lexi, congratulations," Attorney Aranza said with a smile as we walked together.I returned with a small smile. "This wouldn't have been possible without you. Thank you for being one of the few people my father truly trusts.""I'm just doing my job as his lawyer… and as his friend," he replied with a reassuring nod."Lexi!"Attorney Aranza and I turned at the sound of my sister's voice. She was rushing toward me, her eyes burning with fury. Instinctively, Attorney Aranza moved in front of me, shielding me from her, which made me smirk."Attorney, I need to talk to my sister, not you,
THIRD POVAfter the meeting, Minda and Shiela remained in the conference room. Both of them seethed with anger at the unexpected turn of events. Minda reread the documents confirming that Lexi was now the major shareholder of Castillon Corporation. No matter how many times she went through them, the contents remained legal and undeniable."You told me she wouldn’t be able to take Chase away from me, and I believed you. And now, Papa’s company belongs to her," Shiela stated, her voice devoid of emotion."I don’t know how this slipped past me. I worked so hard to convince the investors to sell me their shares," Minda muttered in frustration."Can’t you see it, Mama? My father entrusted the company to her on purpose," Shiela said, her voice trembling with unshed tears.Minda clenched her fists tightly. Perhaps her husband had long known about her affair and had taken steps to ensure this outcome before confronting her. She never thought she would be outmaneuvered like this."This is unac
LEXI'S POV"Papa, your wish has finally come true. I am now the CEO of your company," I said with a smile, holding my father’s hand.He had been discharged from the hospital and was now recovering at home. I hired a private nurse to care for him and assigned Linda to watch over him as well. Secretly, I installed a CCTV camera in his room, so I could monitor him even when I wasn’t there. At first, Aunt Minda objected, but the doctor himself insisted that my father needed a nurse.Papa smiled at me, and even though he still couldn't speak, I knew he was happy with my news. I longed for the day he could talk again—I knew he had so much he wanted to tell me.Through the camera I had installed, I saw how my stepmother yelled at him, blaming him for why I was now the CEO. She even pointed a finger at him in anger, and it nearly shattered my heart. Thankfully, she didn’t physically hurt him—because if she had, I might not have been able to hold myself back. Despite everything, I knew there w
THIRD PERSON'S POV"Mama, have you heard the news? The building where Lexi and Chase live is on fire right now."A secret smile played on Minda’s lips as she listened to her daughter. She had long wished to remove her husband’s child from his past relationship. Now, she had finally executed her plan, ensuring that Lexi’s death would once again appear as an unfortunate accident."I don’t know how to feel, Mama. They say Lexi is trapped inside the building."Minda glanced at her daughter, slightly taken aback by the concern evident in her voice. That was not the reaction she had expected."Don't tell me you're worried about that woman?" she asked in disbelief."Mama, I despise her, but I’m thinking about Papa. As much as I hate to admit it, I know he’ll be devastated if Lexi is gone," Shiela answered somberly.She took a deep breath and approached her daughter, gently stroking her hair. "Hija, you need to think about yourself right now. That woman has been stealing everything that shoul
THIRD POV"Really? My sister seems to be enjoying the attention you're giving her a little too much," Lexi said in a deep tone after Chase ended the call.Chase smiled slightly. "Let her be. It's actually better that she trusts me," he replied.His wife rolled her eyes at him and placed her spoon down. They were in the middle of their meal, as Chase had just returned to the house where he was hiding with Lexi."Wasn't it enough that you spent hours together at the bar? She didn’t even think about the possibility of someone seeing you two together, knowing that you’re her brother-in-law," Lexi said, shaking her head.Chase's smile widened. He was amused to see his wife annoyed at his plan to get closer to her sister, Shiela. He didn’t intend to tease her, but he couldn't help himself."Well, she’s actually not bad to talk to. I mean, she’s not like before when she was desperately trying to get my attention."Lexi abruptly stood up, causing Chase to rise as well. She glared at him, maki
THIRD POVChase pulled the car to a gentle stop in front of the Castillon residence. The night had stretched longer than expected, but neither he nor Shiela seemed to mind.“Thank you, Chase,” Shiela said with a warm smile as she turned to face him.Their conversation at the bar lasted nearly three hours. Shiela had taken the opportunity to talk with him extensively, grateful that, for the first time, he seemed open and willing to share parts of himself. She had not drunk too much and was careful to stay sober enough to savor their time together. Chase, too, had limited his drinks, knowing he had to drive. When he offered to take her home, she gladly accepted, leaving her car in the care of her friend, Jenny, the bar's owner.Chase exhaled before speaking, his tone serious. “Shiela, I don’t want to rush things. My wife just passed away. I don’t want to give you false hope.”Shiela shook her head gently. “I’m not in a hurry, Chase. What matters to me is that you’re finally talking to m
SHIELA'S POV"Shiela, that's enough. You're drunk," Jenny said seriously, trying to stop me from drinking anymore.I shook my head slowly. Right now, alcohol is the only ally I had. I had no idea how my life had come to this. I thought everything would finally fall into place once my half-sister was out of my life, but it turned out to be the opposite. My father became even more distant, and my mother seemed to care for nothing but the company.And Chase? He felt even more out of reach. If there had been a wall between us before, now it feels like he had built an entirely different world—one I had no place in. The chances of him noticing me had become even more impossible."I don't know if you're celebrating or mourning," Jenny muttered, shaking her head.I let out a bitter smile. "If you think about it, I should be happy that Lexi is gone. I thought I would finally get everything I wanted. But I was wrong. My life has only become more miserable, Jenny.""Well, it's never that simple,
THIRD POV"Chase, I'm sorry that Grandma and I just got back now," Chelsea said, crying as she hugged her brother tightly.It took them a while to return home because Chelsea had an upcoming exam, so she had to take it before coming home. Their grandmother came with her since she, too, was deeply affected by Lexi’s sudden passing."Get some rest first; you must be tired from the trip," Anna told the grandmother and granddaughter.Mirasol immediately shook her head. "I want to visit my granddaughter, Lexi. Chase, come with us to see her," she said authoritatively.Chase gave a silent nod, showing no emotion. Carlo let out a sigh as he observed his son's behavior since Lexi’s passing. Chase showed no emotions and remained quiet most of the time. Although he hadn't neglected TAC, the drastic change in him was noticeable. He practically lived in his office and had only come home to the mansion now because his sister had arrived."I'm worried about him, Mama. He makes it seem like he's oka
THIRD POV“Where is Chase?” Carlo asked the moment he arrived in the dining area of their mansion. He found Anna already seated, waiting for him.“I called him, and he said he would be working overtime at the office,” his wife replied seriously.Carlo let out a deep sigh. He no longer knew what to do with his only son. Ever since his wife passed away, Chase had become distant, shutting everyone out. He was always at the office, and Carlo rarely saw him anymore. At first, he gave his son space, allowing him time to grieve, but now he was beginning to worry about his behavior.“Just give him some time, Carlo,” Anna said as she began serving herself some food.“Until when? He can’t be like this forever,” he said, shaking his head.“He loved Lexi dearly, but he would eventually move on. He’s still young, so he will surely find someone else to love. If only Lexi wasn’t Shiela’s sister, I would have suggested once again that we arrange for them to be together,” Anna added.Carlo turned to h
THIRD POVDinner was quiet, almost eerily so. Minda and her daughter, Shiela, sat at the dining table, sharing a meal for the first time since that morning. But the silence between them was heavy, filled with unsaid words and lingering tension."At least Chase chose to stay out of the company’s affairs," Minda finally broke the silence, her voice carrying a sense of relief.Shiela scoffed, her tone laced with sarcasm. "You don’t have to worry anymore. You’re still the CEO, after all."Minda frowned. "Shiela, instead of standing with me, why does it feel like you’re turning against me? What exactly do you want?"Shiela sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly? I don’t even know anymore. The company? Chase? Papa? I have no idea, Mama. Lexi may be gone, but it feels like she’s still haunting me."Minda froze, her fork slipping slightly from her fingers. Her eyes widened as she turned to her daughter. "She’s haunting you too?" she asked in disbelief."I mean, she’s not truly gone because I sti
THIRD POVMinda was left speechless as her daughter, Shiela, walked away without another word. Frustration boiled inside her, pushing her to seek out her husband, who remained unable to speak. Finding him awake, she wasted no time."Can you just forget about your illegitimate child? Shiela is the one beside you now, and she should be your priority," she said coldly, her voice laced with anger.Ricky simply stared at her. What else could she expect? He had lost his ability to speak. Ever since his heart attack, she had stopped sharing a room with him, choosing instead to sleep in the guest room. She had only given Shiela a convenient excuse, and her daughter had accepted it without question. Rarely did she visit him anymore, and now, after so long, she finally stood before him again."You have already lost one child, Ricky. Don’t let Shiela slip away from you too."With that, she turned on her heel and walked out. A deep breath escaped her lips as she gripped the doorknob tightly. If n
FLASHBACKChase had just finished his meeting and was making his way back to his office when he noticed his mother, Anna, hastily walking through the hallway. She seemed anxious, looking around as if making sure no one was following her. His instincts kicked in, and without a second thought, he decided to trail her discreetly. To his surprise, she headed straight for the rooftop of the building."Hello. I need you to do something for me right now," he heard her say to someone over the phone.A few seconds of silence followed before Anna spoke again."Sneak into Chase's condo. Open the gas tank so that when Lexi gets home, it will explode on impact. That woman has to disappear—she’s a hindrance to all our plans. Make sure it looks like an accident. Do you understand?"Chase felt his blood run cold. He couldn’t listen any further. Without hesitation, he turned and rushed back to his office, locking the door behind him. With trembling hands, he dialed his wife's number."Lex, where are y
THIRD PERSON'S POV"Mama, have you heard the news? The building where Lexi and Chase live is on fire right now."A secret smile played on Minda’s lips as she listened to her daughter. She had long wished to remove her husband’s child from his past relationship. Now, she had finally executed her plan, ensuring that Lexi’s death would once again appear as an unfortunate accident."I don’t know how to feel, Mama. They say Lexi is trapped inside the building."Minda glanced at her daughter, slightly taken aback by the concern evident in her voice. That was not the reaction she had expected."Don't tell me you're worried about that woman?" she asked in disbelief."Mama, I despise her, but I’m thinking about Papa. As much as I hate to admit it, I know he’ll be devastated if Lexi is gone," Shiela answered somberly.She took a deep breath and approached her daughter, gently stroking her hair. "Hija, you need to think about yourself right now. That woman has been stealing everything that shoul