Don’t confuse your guilt with love. Justin squeezed his eyes shut. Was he just feeling guilty? Was the pain he felt in the past five years just guilt? He felt a tear drop from his eyes. Fuck her for confusing him!
He rushed out from his room but no longer saw her.
“Follow her!” he barked to his secretary, who immediately sprung to action.
Serene heaved a sigh of relief when she entered a familiar restaurant and sat on a chair. A server approached her as soon as she settled in. She gave her order from the top of her head while her eyes scanned the place. She caught sight of Joseph, Justin’s secretary from her peripheral vision.
“Can I also have the bill?” She gave a polite smile to the server and continued to search the rest
Serene felt an arm hug her from behind and a chin rested on her shoulder. Definitely not one of her twins. She sleepily turned around to look at the person and saw Mary’s clear face.She had not been answering her calls for the past week; it drove her crazy.As if knowing what was in her mind, Mary softly said, “I’m sorry, Mama Bear,” and she hid her face on her neck.“I’m the one who should be sorry. You received all that shit from protecting me and my children. Forgive me?” she pulled her friend away to look her in the eyes.“Shen, you don’t need to apologize. Yes, Justin was a big and mean bully for doing that to me, but I don’t regret protecting you and those adorable munchkins.” she smiled up at
Crystal racked her brains to find out the person who betrayed her, but to no avail. While she admits to doing those things out of her own volition, these are things she kept hidden to everyone, including her family. The people in her kink parties always signed a nondisclosure agreement. The leaked photos and videos came to her as a surprise. To this day, her team still has not found the person behind the leak.And while she continued to search for the culprit, people had a field day tarnishing her reputation. She became the press’ darling to a PR nightmare overnight. She thought that the news would eventually just die a natural death as long as she kept to herself and avoided the media, but it had dragged on. And as time passed, the more vicious they became. Their words did not only sting but slashed her to bits. Comments ranged from the truth, to an interpretation of the truth, and to utter li
Serene stared slack-jawed at the television. A breaking news interrupted her daily dose of morning show. She could not believe what she just heard. Crystal jumped off from the rooftop of her apartment and plunged to her death. Her fingers gripped the remote.She had been in constant communication with Crystal for the past two weeks. She knew the feeling of being alone amid a storm. It’s a dark, scary and lonely place to be. She did not wish for anybody she knew to find themselves in such a situation.Serene touched her left wrist subconsciously. Four years ago, when she just gave birth to the twins, she suffered from postpartum depression. All the sadness, loneliness, and stress she felt were magnified. She never felt so helpless, sad and lonely in her life. The darkness in her ate the spark of life her children brought. That place felt so depressing she
Serene’s vibrating phone cut off the staring contest between her and Justin. Her brows furrowed as she looked at the unidentified number flashing on her screen. “Hello?”“Serene Ellis” a raspy man’s voice spoke on the other end of the line. From the background, Serene could hear children crying.“Yes.” she answered, her voice trembling. Her heart tightened and the angry flush on her cheeks drained.“We have your children --”“Please, please, don’t hurt them. Don’t hurt my babies,” she whimpered. She felt her phone snatched from her hand. Justin put the phone on speaker, not making any sound. The entire room listened in silence.“We won&r
Justin picked Serene up from the hotel she stayed in. There was no longer a need to hide from him since she needed to work with him to rescue her children. She sat in the front passenger seat while he drove.Justin looked concentrated on his driving, but he’s biting the inside of his cheeks from anger. The hotel where she and her children stayed was only a couple of blocks away from Hotel Le Grande. She always hid in plain sight, it made him look stupid already.He pushed his anger aside and concentrated on the issue at hand. The kidnappers gave him the location of the meeting. It’s an abandoned warehouse near the pier. They instructed them to leave the money beside a trash can near the entrance.Justin got off the car and did exactly that. After dropping a huge duffle bag beside the trash, he walked awa
As their car entered his Villa, Serene felt a tug in her heart. This place contained some of her happiest and her most painful memories. She clutched Pax closer to her chest and looked at the sleeping Felicity in Justin’s arms. She looked so peaceful and at home in his arms.Jane, Justin’s helper, could not hide her surprise at the sight of Serene. Her eyes were as wide as her open jaws. It’s been years since she last saw Serene. And it was when Justin ordered her to send Serene away. It broke her heart to see her pitiful condition then. But she was a mere helper, and her master forbade her to help Serene.“Ma-Madam!” Jane could not help but cry at the sight of her. Her smile almost reached her ears.“Jane, good evening,” Serene said, smiling at Justin’s helper.
Serene’s incoming call cut off their conversation. “Al,” Serene answered her call while getting up from her seat and walking away from the dining table. “How are the twins? Bryan told me what happened.” “They’re safe now, a little shook but safe.” “That’s good. Are you at Justin’s?” “Um…” “That’s fine, Shen. He’s the children’s father. After all these years, and all that has happened, don’t you think it’s time for the twins to know him?” “I don’t know, Al.” “Hey, it’s just my ten cents, Shen. In the end, it’s your call. By the way, if you have time, come down to Pine City. Susie tho
Seeing her packing their things shattered his world. She’s running away again. He just had a taste of how it felt to be a part of the twins’ lives and she’s taking them away.He knew he hurt her before, but he wanted to make up for it if only she’d give her a chance. One chance to make it right and prove to her how much they mattered to him. A single chance is all he wanted.He has not asked her about it yet, but here she is packing her luggage, poised to run away again. They’ve been playing cat and mouse for such a long time, it has become tiresome. How long would it take him to find them again this time?He sat at the edge of Serene’s bed. His elbows dug into his knees while his hands held his head. With his head down, a veil of dark hair fell on either side of his face. His slu
Serene stood in front of a closed door, holding onto her father’s arm. She felt weak on her knees and him lending his strength is all that she needed. Her heart was in her throat and her hand tightened around the bouquet she held.“Ready, love?” Conrad asked his daughter. His loving eyes looked at her. She was just a tiny baby he held before and now he’s walking her down the aisle. Recalling everything she has gone through; he felt a sense of pride rush through him. She’d grown to a strong independent woman, the best mother to the twins. He could not be prouder.They signaled for the door to be opened. Father and daughter walked down the aisle. All eyes are on them. Serene insisted on having an intimate wedding. She wanted their intimate moment shared only with people who mattered to them. Every single one of those in attendance we
Serene and Justin were co-parenting for the past six months, and it had been a bliss so far. Every Friday night, he’d have dinner with Serene and the twins at her place. After dinner, he would take the children with him. They agreed weekends were his, but he preferred to spend Sundays as a family. They would go to parks, museums, or hang out either at his place or hers. He would then drive Serene and the children back to her place at Hyacinth Bay.As for the two of them, they’re building trust at their own pace. Serene’s more open with him, although he wished she’d be more affectionate. He missed holding her and feeling her close to him.It’s Friday night. Justin would come over for dinner before driving back to his place with the twins. Serene finished cooking, but Justin has not arrived yet.
After their lunch, the group transferred to the nearby hotel. She and Justin watched their children play in the pool in silence. Her eyes soften at the sound of their laughter. It still fascinated her to see how much they’ve grown.“So, you guys back together?” Mary asked as she walked towards Serene and handed her a glass of juice.“No,” Serene answered, then sipped the beverage Mary gave.“Hm… I like to remind you, Shen, how difficult things were for you in the past,” she said, throwing a glance at Justin. He remained quiet throughout the exchange.Serene chose to not respond to Mary. She knows how hostile Mary could get, especially after what Justin did to her.Mary held her
The weekend finally came. Vivienne instructed him to go to Lewis Tower. From there, he took the helicopter going to Pines City. He could not help but sneer. He and his team focused on the airport when she used a helicopter to shuttle to and from Hyacinth Bay.Thinking alone that he’d see her and their children, he could not help but feel excited. The weekday felt like a drag for him. He wanted to fast forward the days, so it’ll be the weekend and he’d finally be able to spend time with Serene and the twins.His heart thumped in his chest as soon as his foot touched Pines City ground. His palms felt sweaty and cold. The food park occupied part of the mall’s outdoor space. It’s composed of many stalls featuring various cuisines.Vivienne welcomed him upon arrival. His eyes search the venu
Seeing her packing their things shattered his world. She’s running away again. He just had a taste of how it felt to be a part of the twins’ lives and she’s taking them away.He knew he hurt her before, but he wanted to make up for it if only she’d give her a chance. One chance to make it right and prove to her how much they mattered to him. A single chance is all he wanted.He has not asked her about it yet, but here she is packing her luggage, poised to run away again. They’ve been playing cat and mouse for such a long time, it has become tiresome. How long would it take him to find them again this time?He sat at the edge of Serene’s bed. His elbows dug into his knees while his hands held his head. With his head down, a veil of dark hair fell on either side of his face. His slu
Serene’s incoming call cut off their conversation. “Al,” Serene answered her call while getting up from her seat and walking away from the dining table. “How are the twins? Bryan told me what happened.” “They’re safe now, a little shook but safe.” “That’s good. Are you at Justin’s?” “Um…” “That’s fine, Shen. He’s the children’s father. After all these years, and all that has happened, don’t you think it’s time for the twins to know him?” “I don’t know, Al.” “Hey, it’s just my ten cents, Shen. In the end, it’s your call. By the way, if you have time, come down to Pine City. Susie tho
As their car entered his Villa, Serene felt a tug in her heart. This place contained some of her happiest and her most painful memories. She clutched Pax closer to her chest and looked at the sleeping Felicity in Justin’s arms. She looked so peaceful and at home in his arms.Jane, Justin’s helper, could not hide her surprise at the sight of Serene. Her eyes were as wide as her open jaws. It’s been years since she last saw Serene. And it was when Justin ordered her to send Serene away. It broke her heart to see her pitiful condition then. But she was a mere helper, and her master forbade her to help Serene.“Ma-Madam!” Jane could not help but cry at the sight of her. Her smile almost reached her ears.“Jane, good evening,” Serene said, smiling at Justin’s helper.
Justin picked Serene up from the hotel she stayed in. There was no longer a need to hide from him since she needed to work with him to rescue her children. She sat in the front passenger seat while he drove.Justin looked concentrated on his driving, but he’s biting the inside of his cheeks from anger. The hotel where she and her children stayed was only a couple of blocks away from Hotel Le Grande. She always hid in plain sight, it made him look stupid already.He pushed his anger aside and concentrated on the issue at hand. The kidnappers gave him the location of the meeting. It’s an abandoned warehouse near the pier. They instructed them to leave the money beside a trash can near the entrance.Justin got off the car and did exactly that. After dropping a huge duffle bag beside the trash, he walked awa
Serene’s vibrating phone cut off the staring contest between her and Justin. Her brows furrowed as she looked at the unidentified number flashing on her screen. “Hello?”“Serene Ellis” a raspy man’s voice spoke on the other end of the line. From the background, Serene could hear children crying.“Yes.” she answered, her voice trembling. Her heart tightened and the angry flush on her cheeks drained.“We have your children --”“Please, please, don’t hurt them. Don’t hurt my babies,” she whimpered. She felt her phone snatched from her hand. Justin put the phone on speaker, not making any sound. The entire room listened in silence.“We won&r