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 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 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 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
They say high school life is filled with happiness. This is what disrupts your quiet study. This is what becomes your inspiration to wake up early and prepare to go to school. It's where you experience the first sweetness of love and the first pain it can bring. You will laugh, you will feel the nervousness, you will feel shy, and you will cry. High school life was indeed one of the most memorable moments of your life. Because in this stage of our life, this is where it can all be started."I love you so much, Lexi Ann Castillon."Lexi smiled at the words of the young man who held her right hand tightly. It was lunch break, and they were just hanging out at the gymnasium. Lexi could also feel the stares of the surrounding students. Her boyfriend, Chase Grey Sandoval, was a varsity player and the school heartthrob, so she wasn't surprised that they were the center of attention. Who would have thought that someone like Chase would fall for someone like her?"Why do I feel like you’ve do
LEXI'S POV(8 years later)“Happy birthday, Lexi!”I just smiled when I saw Linda holding a small cake. She’s the nanny who raised me. She’s been doing this every year since I moved to my father’s house. She has been like a mother to me—taking care of me and the only one who showed me that I was accepted in this house.“Thank you, Linda,” I said happily.Aside from the cake, there was also breakfast on the side table next to me. Today was my 26th birthday, and I knew that it would feel like any other ordinary day. Only Linda was making me feel like this day was special.“What are your plans for today?” she asked.I gave a small smile. “Linda, I was going to tell you something, but please don’t tell anyone, okay?”“Of course! When have I ever broken your trust?” she said jokingly.I quickly nodded. I could only confide in Linda. She’s the only one I can trust with my secrets, and none of them have ever reached Papa or Aunt Minda. That’s why I trust her so much.“I’m planning to confess
LEXI' POVIt’s almost five o’clock. I’ve been feeling restless because, in just a little while, I will see James. I can’t explain how I feel. Maybe it’s because after eight years, here I am, ready to love again.“You’re nervous, Lexi.”I turned to Savina, who was holding a paper bag. She smiled and handed it to me, which I quickly accepted.“Happy birthday!” she cheerfully greeted me.Savina is my best friend from high school, and it seems like wherever I go, she’s always there too. We attended the same college, and, of course, we now work at the same company. The only difference is our department, so her office is a bit far from mine. The Marketing Department is on the 3rd floor, while the Financial Department is on the 6th floor. Since it was almost five o’clock, Savina came to visit me on my floor.“So, have you received flowers?” Savina asked curiously.I gave a faint smile. “No. Maybe whoever it is stopped sending them,” I replied.Every year on my birthday, someone sends me flow
LEXI'S POVIt was only six in the evening when I arrived at the restaurant. I made sure to come early. Linda was really worried about me, but I reassured her that I was fine. I still hadn’t told Savina what I had found out because I knew she would rush to confront James. I wanted to talk to James first. I wanted us to clear things up.I still made an effort to prepare for this dinner. I wore a peach-colored dress that was above the knee. I let my long hair down and applied a bit of makeup. I had planned to wear contact lenses, so I wouldn’t look like a nerd, but I was sure I would cry later. So I opted for my thick glasses instead. I’m still the nerd that everyone bullied back in high school. I guess I was just a fool to believe that James truly loved me.My thoughts were interrupted when my phone suddenly rang. It was Papa calling, so I quickly answered.“Hija, where are you?” he asked.“I’m just handling something, Papa,” I replied.“If you can make it to our dinner, please come. I’
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