“Here you are, little one.” Mrs. Lucinda smiled evilly as she stepped into the small house that Jeri had been calling home for the past month." Do you think you can get away from me, huh?"Jeri, who was breastfeeding her child, quickly jumped out of her seat, clutching her child to her chest and lowering her gaze to the ground.“Good… good day, ma'am,” Jeri stammered, avoiding eye contact with Mrs. Lucinda, who entered Dr. Emiliano's small house after being informed by a spy where Jeri lives.Darien, on the other hand, offered to build a new house for the old man as a token of appreciation, but he declined, stating that he was content with his small home.“Shut up, witch!” Mrs. Lucinda cursed through gritted teeth, glaring at Jeri, who shivered at the sound of her voice. “Because of you, my son no longer respects me. He brought you here because he thought I could not find you, right? Well, I guess he forgot that the same men who protect him a
Jeri gave Darien a deadly glare as he approached them.“You want to know what is going on, right?” Dr. Emiliano asked Jeri one last time, unconcerned about Darien's presence.“Yes.” Jeri rolled her eyes.“Walk up there, pick a book, go through it so you would know what's happening in the world today,” the old man pointed at his small library that was positioned in one angle of the small house.Dr. Emiliano disappeared from the living room, leaving Darien and Jeri behind, without another word. He did not even seem happy.“Umm…,” Darien scratched his scalp awkwardly with his left hand akimbo. He inquired." Please explain what is going on here. I do not seem to understand what is happening."“Tell me, Darien. In what way is this elderly man related to you?” She glared at him, her face displaying pure rage as she raised her voice.“Gosh,” Darien exhaled, clasping his palms against his face.“ How many times do I have to tell
Jeri went into her room and locked it from inside, preventing Darien from entering. She leaned against the door and wept bitterly. It was not her intention for their relationship to end this way, but she believed it was best for everyone.She has suffered her entire life, and she cannot afford to continue doing so when she can help herself out of her misery.On the flip side, Darien repeatedly banged on the door, calling for her to open it, but she refused. After being exhausted, Darien could not help but join her in bitter tears over their predicament. She was the only woman who captured his attention at first glance. It would be painful to see the woman he loves wholeheartedly walk away because of his family members.Darien vowed to make things right, even after discovering that he was to blame for Jeri's mother's death. He believes he owes her a lot, and he would never let her go just like that.Jeri stood up and b
Before Aysel could leave Darien's room, her phone began to ring, calling for her attention. She gazed at the phone on the bed, trying to figure out who was calling her.“Aunt Clara,” Aysel mumbled as she took the phone from the bed. Clara was an old friend of Mrs. Lucinda, Darien's mother, and the older sister of Aysel's mother, Margaret. She was a spinster who hoped to marry someone someday.Mrs. Lucinda communicated with Clara because she needed help finding a wife for her son so she could complete her mission. However, Clara chose her niece, Aysel, to be her old friend's daughter-in-law because she knew her old friend got married to a billionaire, which implies that her son is a billionaire heir as well.Even though Aysel was an adopted child, Clara considered her to be her niece.“Hello, darling… How did it go? I was expecting to hear from you, but you did not call,” Clara's voice echoed from the phone after Aysel
Before she could find an apartment to rent with the little money she had left, Jeri took a taxi to a nearby hotel to stay for a few days.Darien had been paying her own and her child's bills for the past month. Darien was paying not only their bills, but also Dr. Emiliano's.Despite this, Darien never fails to provide her with extra money to purchase whatever she desires, including items she may not want to tell him about.Jeri stepped out of the cab as soon as it came to a halt, carrying her child in a blue baby carrier basket.She took a deep breath and looked up at the massive hotel that stood tall right in front of her. She was not just admiring the beauty; she was also wondering if her money would be sufficient to lodge for more than one night and still get her an apartment.“Your luggage, ma'am,” the cab driver announced as he placed Jeri's bags next to her. “And thank you; the funds have been received.”With no words, Jeri
“Look who we got here,” said the young man as he rubbed his palms against each other as he covered the space between him and Jeri. Watching the young man approach her and lustfully bite his lower lip, Jeri, who had been standing motionless since entering the house, started to shiver. She looked down quickly, swallowing hard as she made a concerted effort to keep her cool. “Huh?” The young man was taken aback when he laid eyes on Jeri's child. “ Well, I do not think having a child will prevent us from making out. Will it?” The young man spoke, attempting to hold Jeri's jaw, but she retreated a few inches. “I did not come here because of you, Henry,” Jeri snapped, unable to bear Henry standing so close to her. Henry was one of the young men who fell in love with Jeri at first glance. However, when she was asked out to be his girlfriend, she declined. Henry tried everything he could to make Jeri his girlfriend, but he failed and had no choice but to give up. And now she is at Hen
“I guess you are done preparing so we can start moving, Jeri,” Sophia said to Jeri as she stood at the entrance. “Please give me a few minutes, and I will be out. I had to prepare both myself and my child, you know,” Jeri replied, attempting to finish dressing and join Sophia, who had been waiting for her for the past ten minutes. “All right, I will be downstairs waiting for you,” Sophia said, quickly disappearing from the living room door. Just as Sophia had vanished, Henry appeared out of nowhere and walked into Jeri's room without knocking. He opened the door quickly and closed it again, his gaze falling on the half-dressed lady he had hoped to spend some quality time with on the bed. “Damn!” Jeri exhaled angrily, quickly picking up her towel from the bed and wrapping it around her chest. “How dare you come into my room without knocking?” She barked and pointed her index finger at him. Henry stood with his hands akimbo, giggling as he scanned Jeri from head to toe, a million
Even as she hugged and exchanged greetings with Sophia, Freya could not take her gaze away from Jeri, wondering if this was the Jeri she had been praying to meet. “I rang your line yesterday, but you didn't pick up,” said Sophia to Freya after they broke the hug. “I apologize for that, Sophy. I was so occupied yesterday that I didn't notice your call. Is there any problem?” Freya responded, still trying to figure out why Jeri was there. Has Darien told Jeri anything about her? “Hmm… well…” Sophia sighed and shifted her gaze away from Freya to Jeri." Here's an old friend who needs help. So, I thought you were the only one who could help, so I brought her. I wanted to notify you before coming here, but you did not answer the phone." “I see,” Freya said, reaching out her hand for a handshake with a lopsided expression." Hi, my name is Freya Elias. It is a pleasure to meet you." ‘Even though she dresses decently like every other staff member I have seen so far, she is still giving
"Well,” Maya said, " if you think that's the best thing to do, then go ahead and do so since the whole thing centered on her.”With newfound determination, Darien left for Jeri's mansion after a long discussion with Maya.Perhaps the truth would change everything. Who knows?Darien arrived at Jeri's mansion a few minutes later, his heart pounding. One of the gatekeepers led Darien to the garden where Jeri was having fun with her son. "Jeri," Darien said, his voice barely above a whisper.Upon hearing her name, Jeri swiftly turned, her eyes narrowing. She was taken aback when her eyes fell on Darien."What is it, Darien?" Jeri asked, her brows furrowed.Darien stood dumbfounded as though he didn't hear her. Unfortunately, his attention was carried away by the little child who was busy playing with a ball.When Jeri noticed that, she became uncomfortable so she decided to ask her child to go into the house and he did.Dawson ran past Darien without greeting him. Probably because he did
Ever since Darien got the text, he became restless to the point of refusing to eat his dinner.He was eager to meet this unknown person to know who the person is and what the person wants.When it was almost midnight, Darien took with him three guards and exited the mansion without telling his father or grandfather.Within a few minutes of driving in the almost empty road, he arrived at the old warehouse, his heart racing with anticipation and fear. The text had been cryptic, but the threat to Jeri's life was clear.Since he was asked to come alone, he asked his guards to wait for him from a far distance from the old warehouse.As Darien stepped out of the shadows, a figure emerged, causing him to flinch in fear."Who are you?" Darien demanded out of fear.The figure revealed a woman with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair."I'm Maya," she said. "I've been tracking Adrian's operations for months.""Huh?” Darien's eyes narrowed."What do you want?"Instead of responding to his que
Darien began to pace around in the garden, wondering what to do. It was as if his head were going to explode for trying so hard to figure out what to do next.“I need to act fast. I can't sit back and watch them hurt Jeri. Not now," Darien said to himself with determination.At last, he retreated to the living room after giving it much thought.As he re-entered the mansion, he heard his grandfather speaking."Jeri, dear," Dr. Williams said, his voice soft, "I know my family has wronged you. But Darien has changed. He's trying to make amends. And as his grandfather, I will beg you on his behalf to please forgive him even though he deserves to face the consequences of his actions. He was still a kid that time when it happened and probably his father was afraid to lose his son that was why they kept it hidden. Please have mercy on them, Jeri."As Dr. Williams' words pierced into her ears Jeri's gaze wavered. Her plan was to get Darien and his father arrested, and not to forgive them. Now
The mansion felt empty, the tension filled the air with Mrs. Lucinda's departure. Jeri's emotions swirled, relief and sadness mixed.As they exchanged glances, Sophia broke the silence. "It's time to start healing.""And seeking justice.” Freya chuckled.Just then, Darien approached Jeri, his eyes sincere, as he was eager to seek her forgiveness."Jeri," he began,“ I know I can never undo the harm I've caused. If only you could forgive me, I would be the happiest man on earth presently. Not only that, I would be able to help you as well.""Help me?” Jeri's gaze hardened, her voice icy. “ You're the reason I've suffered. In fact, I'm still suffering because without my mother, I'm just like an orphan.""I know,” said Darien as he took a step closer, his gaze full of regret. “But I'm willing to make amends. Let me help you fight those who've wronged you.""You think you can just waltz in and fix everything?” Jeri scoffed. " My mother's dead because of you."Darien's face contorted in ang
"Huh?” Jeri gasped, her eyes narrowed as she tried to digest the whole thing."So you were the one who ruined my life from day one?" Jeri's eyes blazed as she spoke to Darien. Jeri glared at Darien as if she should strangle him to death. He killed her mother. As if that weren't enough he ruined her life by impregnating her."Jeri, I…" Darien continued, but Jeri cut him off."Shut up! You have no right to speak," Jeri spat, her voice venomous.The tears she had been suppressing for a long time finally escaped her eyes, and streamed down her cheeks.She came to seek justice for her dead mother and also to expose Mrs. Lucinda's sinister plans and now this. Jeri's world crumbled right before her as she was still finding it challenging to believe Freya's words.Upon seeing how heartbroken Jeri was, Sophia stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Jeri's shoulder as she attempted to comfort her."Jeri, let's think this through," said Sophia as she gently rubbed Jeri's shoulder with her thu
Darien's face paled, his eyes filling with a mix of shock and guilt. At last, Freya exposed the secret they have been hiding for decades.Mr. Ethan's eyes widened in astonishment, wondering what Jeri was talking about. He wasn't aware that the woman his son stabbed to death in his office was Jeri's mother.“What…what are you talking about, Jeri?” Mr. Ethan inquired, his gaze shifting from his son to Jeri. "Oh please, don't pretend as if you can't recall how your son murdered my mother in your office many years ago,” she growled in response, her fist tightened.Just after Jeri said that, it dawned on him that the woman was indeed Jeri's mother who had no one to look for her after her death.Mr. Ethan averted his gaze away from Jeri to Darien. He couldn't believe his ears. Never has he for once thought that this thing will come up in the future. Mrs. Lucinda, on the flip side, couldn't say anything, rather she froze in place staring at everyone with skeptical brows. She was just imagi
“What?" Darien gasped, his eyes shifting from the old man to his father. “ What did I just hear you call him, father?" “You heard him well, Darien," Dr. Williams cut in, causing Darien to avert his gaze away from his father to Dr. Williams.“Dr. Williams,” Darien called, still trying to comprehend what was happening. " I have been searching for you. You were nowhere to be found a few months after Jeri had left this city. I thought she came back and took you away demanding that you saved her life. I was astonished when she came to my office asking me about you. Where have you been all this while? And why is my father addressing you like that?”"How many times do you need to be told that Dr. Williams is your grandfather?” Jeri snapped."Zip your mouth, Jeri. I wasn't talking to you,” Darien countered, his brows drawn together.“What Jeri said is nothing but the truth, Darien," Dr. Williams responded, walking past Darien, his hands tucked behind him.“Huh?” Darien gasped. He curiously i
As soon as they set eyes on Jeri, they were taken aback, wondering how she was permitted into the house without their permission They exchanged glances, wondering if Jeri had come with the police to arrest Darien or something different. Just as Mrs. Lucinda was about to question how she came into the house without their permission, Jeri stepped into the lounge and Aysel followed.Immediately Mrs. Lucinda set eyes on her daughter, she quickly swallowed her words, convincing herself that she had access into the house through Aysel.Upon realizing this, it fueled Mrs. Lucinda's hatred for Aysel.After Jeri and Aysel stepped forward, Freya and Sophia followed. Their faces were holding no traces of smile, causing Darien and his parents to ask themselves what exactly the ladies were there to seek.Jeri's eyes blazed as she stepped forward. "We know what you're planning, Mrs. Lucinda. And we won't let you get away with it.""I have no idea what you're talking about," Mrs. Lucinda snapped,
“What's wrong, son?" Mrs. Lucinda asked as she sat beside her son on the couch.Darien, whose face was clouded with anger, hastily stood up, avoiding his mother's touch.“Tell me, is it true?" Darien asked, his arms folded above his chest, and his back against his mother's gaze.Mrs. Lucinda was confused as she couldn't comprehend what her son was talking about.“What exactly are you talking about, son?" Mrs. Lucinda stood up and asked with skepticism.Darien turned around and faced his mother. They locked eyes as though they were about to wrestle.Although Darien didn't believe what Jeri and the other girls were saying about his mother, he felt it best to ask his mother a few questions to be on the safer side.Again, the evidence provided by the girls triggered him to believe them a little. He wasn't ready to fully trust them as he was well aware that Jeri was determined to get back at him because of what happ