Marissa became more impatient and pushing herself to rushed to Efrain's place to reveal the dishonest plan made by Diana and Daniella. They were plotting to ruin her reputation by falsely claiming she was dishonest and unfaithful, even though she was innocent. In reality, she was nothing like the person they were trying to make her out to be.She wouldn't accept being called a liar.Marissa, overwhelmed, returned to Efrain's doorstep, her heart pounding. Just as she was about to knock, she noticed a glimmer beneath a potted plant: half of the house key.She grabbed the key and put it in the lock. Taking a deep breath, Marissa hesitated for a second, feeling unsure and scared. But she pushed those feelings aside, getting ready for whatever was coming. When she turned the key, the door opened slowly, making its familiar creaking noise echo through the house.Marissa stepped inside, ready to confront whatever challenges awaited her.As Marissa climbed the stairs, her heart felt heavier w
Efrain entered his room after Diana's departure, only to be enveloped in a hug from Marissa. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Diana," she murmured, her voice soft with empathy.Efrain offered her faint smile. "I'm actually glad you heard. It saves me the trouble of explaining.""I've invited Marcus, Luna, Pedro, and Stella for lunch today."Efrain blinked in surprise, then grinned. "This house is yours too, Marissa. You're free to do as you please, and lunch sounds like a wonderful idea."* * *Efrain swung the door wide open, greeting Stella and Pedro with a smile. Stella leaned in for a hug and planting a sweet kiss on his cheek. "Hello, Efrain.""Hi, Stella," Efrain reciprocated, returning the peck on her cheek with a smile.As Pedro stepped inside, they exchanged a firm handshake, before Efrain closed the door behind them."We brought Champagne. Where's Marissa?" Stella inquired, her eyes scanning the living room.Efrain chuckled, gesturing towards t
Over the last two weeks, they've shared passionate moments, experiencing strong desire and intimacy."Breakfast time," Marissa's voice carried through the house, catching Efrain's attention as he came down the stairs."You look stunning," he whispered, closing the gap between them in one step, enveloping her in an embrace, his lips finding the soft curve of her neck."Take a seat and join me for breakfast," she proposed, smiling warmly as she gestured towards the table.Efrain sat down, feeling grateful as he realized it had been a week since he last needed his crutches."I'll always be here, waiting for you, don't forget that," Marissa smiled."I'll never forget that a beauty like you is waiting for me," Efrain whispered, his hand caressing her cheek.Marissa smiled, recalling the time she asked Efrain about Zendaya's disappearance. He explained how he had to leave for their hacienda because of a threat, and during that time, Zendaya vanished without a trace. He searched tirelessly f
The door creaked open, and Efrain stepped into the dimly lit house, his footsteps echoing softly against the wooden floors. His eyes immediately found Valentina, sitting alone at the sofa, a half-empty glass of wine in hand. With a furrowed brow, he came up to her. "What's the matter?" he asked, worried."Ah, little brother," Valentina greeted him with a wry smile. Efrain sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Please, Valentina, spare me the cryptic remarks. I'm short on time and patience.""Camila Guerra, your mother, has disappeared from the psychiatric facility,"Efrain's eyes widened in shock at Valentina's news. "Missing? But... but how is that even possible? I thought those places were supposed to be secure," he stammered. "The security team informed me yesterday. They conducted a search, but she's nowhere to be found. I knew you needed to be informed, so I tracked you down here. It wasn't difficult, because of your status. I didn't have your number, but I kn
Marissa felt a twinge in her chest as she took in his words, but she managed a delicate smile nonetheless. "I understand," she murmured, sounding a bit sad. "But let me assure you, there's never been anything between Demitrio and me. You, Efrain, are the only one who holds any claim over my body."Marissa started unbuttoning her shirt, the cloth giving way under her touch as she released it from her jeans and let it fall open, revealing her skin."Do you want me?" Her voice quivered slightly, carrying a raw desperation. She hoped her husky tone would stir thoughts of passion and intimacy in Efrain's mind.Efrain's response didn't come in words, but in actions. His lips ghosted over her forehead, initially leaving Marissa uncertain of his intentions. Yet, he continued, planting kisses along her cheekbone, teasing her earlobe, and tracing the line of her neck with his nose. As her head instinctively leaned into his touch, he gently cradled it between his hands.Marissa's fingers tighten
Returning to his hometown, Efrain was flooded with memories as he went through the familiar streets. Despite the passage of time, many things remained unchanged. He barely noticed the asylum on the outskirts, his focused on his destination - the police station. It was there, amidst the bustling activity of daily life, that Efrain's passion for law enforcement first ignited, under the guidance of a seasoned mentor. With both excitement and nervousness, he headed towards the station, a comforting sight in an unchanged world.Efrain stopped his taxi and glanced at the familiar police station. He paid the driver, as he took his bags. The station loomed ahead, its lively facade now worn and quiet. With a deep breath, Efrain pushed open the heavy door, sensing the passage of time as he stepped inside.He felt a wave of nostalgia and sorrow wash over him as he beheld the silent and empty station, a stark contrast to its once lively atmosphere. Memories flooded his mind, mingling with the sce
Efrain stepped into his childhood room, filled with memories captured in characters, pictures, and trinkets scattered about. The medium-sized bed he once slept in had been replaced with a giant one, dominating the space alongside his study table had been replaced with a wardrobe. He let go of his luggage, allowing it to settle on the floor, before retrieving his phone from his pocket. Seeing a recent call from Marissa brought a smile to his face as he returned her call."Hello," Marissa's voice greeted him, a soothing melody to his ears that reminded him of how much he missed her."Hey, beautiful," Efrain replied, placing the phone on the bed as he sat down, his exhaustion evident. He began to remove his shirt, feeling the weight of the day. "What's up?" he inquired, holding the phone back to his ear as he sat on the bed."I missed you, darling. Did you arrive safely?" Marissa inquired with concern."Yeah, I got here a while ago. I'm just about to freshen up and look into some interro
It was few days later when a man was out walking with his dog when the dog run and snatched himself from the man, and he went to a sand and started digging that's when a hand came out, the hand has started decaying and the man was shocked and the dog was barking uncontrollably. Efrain was walking around the mansion, remembering the good old memories before everything collaspes, he walked inside a room and saw Hernan staring at a painting of trees.Hernan turned and looked at him, Efrain stared at him and remembered everything he was slowly turning furious, and he was about to turned around when Hernan lifted his hand slowly and point at a paper with an ink, he tilt his head a little and nodded. Efrain walked to them and brought it to him when he took the ink and carefully wrote something and he gesture for Efrain to pick the paper when Efrain read. "Valentina visited Camila on that day""You mean the day she disappeared, Valentina visited her?" Hernan nodded a little, Efrain heard
Marissa stood before the tall, ornate mirror, her reflection bathed in the soft glow of the dressing room lights. The wedding gown she wore enveloped her in a cascade of ivory silk and lace, a vision of bridal elegance she had once only dared to imagine. In her wildest dreams, she never envisioned herself as a bride, let alone a mother of two, preparing to wed the love of her life, Efrain Guerra. Stella, looking stunning as the maid of honor, gazed at Marissa with admiration. "Do you remember when I told you that one day you'd find an extraordinary man and walk down the aisle in a breathtaking gown, just like this?" she reminisced. Marissa's eyes flickered with uncertainty as she surveyed her reflection. "Do you believe it will all work out? That I can truly find happiness?" she confided. "Stop doubting yourself, Marissa," Stella admonished gently. A gentle knock resonated through the door, prompting Stella to invite the visitor inside. Juan entered the room, exuding confide
The sudden disappearance of their newborn baby sent shockwaves through the room, leaving everyone stunned and panicked. Efrain's heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to comprehend what was happening."What do you mean, someone took him?" Efrain demanded. Marissa's eyes widened in horror as she clutched the sheets tightly. "Who would take our baby?" she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.The nurse's hands shook as she tried to explain. "I don't know... I left the baby in the nursery for just a moment, and when I returned, he was gone. I've already alerted security, but..."Efrain's mind raced with a million thoughts, his instincts kicking into overdrive as he tried to process the situation. "We need to find him, now."Marcus stepped forward, his expression grave. "I'll get the security footage. We'll find whoever did this."Marissa clung to Efrain, her eyes brimming with tears. "Please, find our baby." Efrain held her close, his heart breaking at the thought of thei
The sudden disappearance of their newborn baby sent shockwaves through the room, leaving everyone stunned and panicked. Efrain's heart pounded in his chest as he struggled to comprehend what was happening."What do you mean, someone took him?" Efrain demanded. Marissa's eyes widened in horror as she clutched the sheets tightly. "Who would take our baby?" she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.The nurse's hands shook as she tried to explain. "I don't know... I left the baby in the nursery for just a moment, and when I returned, he was gone. I've already alerted security, but..."Efrain's mind raced with a million thoughts, his instincts kicking into overdrive as he tried to process the situation. "We need to find him, now."Marcus stepped forward, his expression grave. "I'll get the security footage. We'll find whoever did this."Marissa clung to Efrain, her eyes brimming with tears. "Please, find our baby." Efrain held her close, his heart breaking at the thought of thei
A year had passed, and now the Guerra's and Valiente's stood anxiously outside the delivery room."I'm going in," Efrain declared to Juan, his anxiety evident in his tone. "If no one tells me how Marissa is, I'll find out myself."A doctor emerged from the delivery room."Doctor, has the baby arrived?" Efrain inquired, his voice shaky with anticipation."Not yet," the doctor replied."Is Marissa okay?" Efrain's words stumbled out.All eyes were fixed on the doctor, awaiting the news."Yes, she specifically asked for you," the doctor confirmed, "She wants you in the delivery room.""Is my daughter okay? I need to be there if there's any complication," Rosairo expressed her concern, with Valentina offering comfort by holding her arm."She's doing fine," the doctor reassured them, then turned to Efrain. "Let's go.""Let's go," Efrain urged."She'll be alright," Valentina reassured Rosairo, casting a supportive glance at Juan, who returned her smile.Marissa was in the labor room, surroun
"Will you hurry, please... we're going to be late," Valentina urged impatiently.Efrain descended the stairs with his luggage in tow. "Will you just relax? It's still afternoon," he replied, attempting to placate her.Ignoring his response, Valentina marched out of the house and settled into the back seat of the car. Efrain loaded his luggage into the trunk before joining her in the back seat, and the driver started the car, pulling away from the house.As they were driving, their path was suddenly blocked by a line of cars. "What's going on?" Valentina exclaimed, peering out of the window in confusion.Efrain stepped out of the car to investigate, only to find Stella, Ignacio, Paula, Danna, and Carlos waiting for them. "What's going on?" he asked, puzzled by the unexpected gathering.Marissa approached him with a serenade band and began to serenade him, her voice filled with emotion.Marissa came closer to Efrain, who looked surprised to see her, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Efr
Valentina entered Efrain's room quietly, observing him as he slept. She couldn't help but notice how much he had changed. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine her brother would fall in love after all these years. Before returning to town, Valentina will ensure that both Efrain and Marissa realized how deeply they couldn't live without each other. They belonged together, and she was determined to make them see that.Valentina released the drapes, letting the morning sunlight gently fall on Efrain's face. Efrain rubbed his eyes as the sunlight poured in through the open drapes. "Damn it," he muttered, then noticed Valentina standing before him. "Why did you have to wake me up like this?"Valentina settled herself on the edge of the bed. "Listen, I came to take you back to town to stay with me for a few days, away from here. And you won't say no to me because... because you can't.""Vale, I won't say no to you because I can't keep living like this, with everyone seeing me this wa
Marissa sat in her bedroom, tears streaming down her face, when Juan entered with a tray. "Marissa, here's your dinner. You missed lunch with us," he said."I'm not hungry. I just want to be alone," Marissa replied."You know I never listen to you when it comes to taking care of yourself. That's why you're going to eat, and then we're going to talk," Juan insisted, his tone firm but compassionate.He placed the tray on the nightstand and offered his hand to help her sit on the bed. "So, what went down with Guerra?""He's aware of everything, maybe even more, and it's all twisted up thanks to Daniella. I don't know what she told him, but she mixes things up, making me feel insignificant. And maybe I made it worse because he proposed, and I turned him down.""Why? You love him, don't you?" Juan inquired."I do, so much that it's tearing me apart. I've fallen for him. I love that he's the one I love," Marissa confessed."Then why say no?" Juan pressed."Because I don't want to lose him,"
Efrain lay on the bed, his hand resting behind his head as he gazed pensively at the ceiling, lost in thought. When Marissa entered the room, her expression filled with concern, she approached him and sat down beside him. "What's wrong?" "Nothing, I just thought you would be staying at the hacienda tonight. Juan needs you," Efrain replied, his tone distant.Marissa reached out and took his hand in hers. "I'm sorry, Efrain, for what happened at the house. This is just how I can be sometimes—I act without thinking or considering the consequences. One day, I'll be able to share my story with you, the parts I'm not proud of," she confessed."I'm going to sleep now; tomorrow will be a long day," Efrain stated, withdrawing his hand and rolling over to face the other side."I'll take a shower first and then join you in bed," Marissa replied, rising from the bed and making her way into the bathroom. As she undressed and stepped into the shower, her mind was consumed with thoughts of the rece
Daniella entered a room, with Efrain following closely behind. "I'm sorry for calling you here. I just couldn't stand the way your girlfriend was insinuating that you couldn't bring justice between me and Juan," she began, her tone apologetic."Just tell me what you want to say," Efrain urged, his expression unreadable."Efrain, amidst all the drama outside because of Marissa, I've made a decision. Even though Juan may be guilty, I... I've decided to no longer press charges. I can't see how Marissa was humiliating you because of her feelings," Daniella confessed."I can understand, Juan is her brother," Efrain acknowledged, his tone thoughtful."No, Marissa has been deceiving everyone all this time. To her, you're just an escape, a distraction from her intense feelings for him that have never changed. That's why she's causing a scene outside," Daniella asserted."I don't get what you're saying," Efrain replied, his confusion clear in his voice.Daniella walked to her wardrobe, retriev