Pagpasok ni Brent sa loob ng bahay nagulat siya ng makitang halos niligpit na ang lahat ng gamit sa sala. Tinakpan na ito ng puting tela, lalong dumilim ang anyo niya. Biglang huminto sa kanilang ginagawa ang mga kasambahay at yumuko ng makita siya sa may bukana ng pintuan.
“Itigil ninyo at tanggalin lahat ng takip sa mga gamit. Sinong nag-utos sa inyo na gawin ito?” dumadagundong ang boses ni Brent
“I asked them to do it, this is my parent’s house, and I have all the rights to decide what is best for us,” sabi ni Shantal sa likuran niya.
Ilang hakbang lamang sa kinatatayuan niya si Shantal na marahas niyang binalikan at hinawakan ang braso.
“You’re challenging my patience, you’ve done too much. Ngayon gus
Matapos ang ilang oras na inilaan ni Brent kay Brielle nakatulog din ito. He took a few strands of Brielle’s hair and his own, wrapped it in tissue paper. While Brielle sleep soundly, he stepped down from the bed and went to Shantal’s room. Hindi sya nag-abalang buksan ang ilaw sa kwarto nito ngunit aninag nya ang maamong mukha nito na natutulog. Mixed emotions and pain engulfed his mind as he keeps staring at her.He slowly touches her soft face and feels the warmth of her skin as his hands landed on her beautiful face. He felt a sudden surge of pain while staring at her because he remembers that he loved her for more than ten years before, her selfishness and arrogance destroyed the love he had for her.“Why we need to be like this? I have loved you before more than my life, but you just ignore it. Hindi ko hiningi sayo noon na mah
Brent walked out of the dining room. He went directly to the garden and sat down at the bench. Nakatingin siya sa malayo. He was so tired and even asking himself if it’s worthy of taking revenge with her after knowing Brielle’s existence. Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman sa bawat oras na nakikita niya si Brielle.He surely wanted to take his revenge on Shantal, but he was suddenly upset seeing his little boy innocent's face. Gusto niyang sumigaw para ilabas ang lahat ng sama ng loob niya ng mga sandaling iyon. Pakiramdam ni Brent sinubok ni Lord ang tatag niya. Hindi ito ang plano niya, bakit dumating bigla ang anak nila, bakit naging hadlang ito sa mga plano niya?Sumunod si Yaya Santina sa kanya. Alam nitong galit ang namumuo sa puso at isipan ni Brent dahil sa lahat ng maling ginawa ni Shantal noon. Naiintindihan niya ang damd
Dawn, Brent had woke up. Shantal is still sleeping soundly at his side. Bumaba siya sa kama at mabilis na nagbihis. Dinampot niya rin ang damit ni Shantal at binihisan ito. Still sleeping like a child, he scopes her up and brings her back to his room. Tulog pa rin ng mahimbing si Brielle. Pagkalapag niya kay Shantal tumabi siya rito ng higa hanggang sa nakatulog siyang muli. He hugged her as if they are now okay.Pasado alas- otso ng umaga ginising silang pareho ni Brielle.“Daddy, Mommy, wake up! I’m hungry!” boses ni Brielle na nangibabaw sa buong paligid.Naunang nagdilat ng mata si Shantal. She feels a warm breath near her neck and strong arms hugging her. Lumingon siya at nakitang tulog pa rin si Brent.“Babe, low down your voice, Daddy
Brent and the rest of the guys are waiting for Atty. Moran's arrival. Pasado alas-otso na ng gabi ng dumating ito. Ryan had ordered food for their dinner. Matapos makapag-hapunan bumalik sila sa sala ng condo at doon nag-umpisang mag-usap tungkol sa dating kaso na inihain ni Brent laban kay, Mr. Celso Chan.“Brent!, natutuwa ako at bumalik ka ng Pilipinas para ituloy ang nakabinbing kaso noon laban sa kalaban mo,” sabi ni Atty. Moran.“It’s all because of Erick and Ryan's help, Attorney! Without them, maybe I will never be alive. Five years ago, someone had plotted a car accident on me at the parking area on this condo. Maswerte lamang ako dahil ng araw na iyon pinuntahan ako ni Erick,”“Holy crap! Who did it to you? Sabi ko naman sayo noon na mag-ingat ka sa lahat ng kilos at gag
Matapos magligpit sa kwarto ni Brielle bumalik si Shantal sa room niya. Dinampot niya ang Digital Camera na nasa sahig. Ngayon lang niya ito ulit naalala. She sat down in her bed, looking at those photos that were taken a few years ago by Brent during her fashion show in the US. All candid photos of her reminded her younger age. A beautiful young lady who seemed to look so strong but deep inside silently bleeding. She remembered her parents were so busy with their business, giving her all material things in life and allowing her freedom to be enjoyed. Her parents didn't bother to ask her if she's happy and okay.Akala ng mga ito, she enjoyed being an independent child, ngunit may malaking puwang sa puso niya na hindi kayang punan ng pera. Ang atensyon at pagmamahal ng mga ito na napunta lahat kay Brent. She lived a sad life all along. She was so jealous of how they treated Brent right in front of her. Ito
Rodriguez Group of CompaniesBrent and Shantal are on their way to the company. Tahimik na umupo sa harapang bahagi ng kotse si Shantal ng biglang nagsalita si Brent.“What if the case of Mom’s death a few years ago will reopen? Would you still want the culprit to be jailed?” tanong ni Brent.“What do you mean? Mom’s death was planned? By who?” she asked“Nothing, just forget about it. Let me ask you another question,”“Sure! What is it?”“Are you not wondering why I suddenly disappeared five years ago?” he asks while his eyes are on the road.Matagal nag-
After half an hour Brent decided to head back home. Binilinan niya ang guard sa main entrance na magmasid ng maigi sa paligid. Hindi mawaglit sa isipan ang huling sasakyan na sumunod sa kanya kanina. Nag-aalala siya para kay Shantal at Brielle. Alam niyang tauhan ito ni Celso Chan at pinasusundan siya. Sa susunod na linggo na ang muling pagbubukas ng kaso niya laban dito. Ilang taon na ang nakalipas at hanggang ngayon malaya pa rin itong nakakalakad dahil natigil noon ang pagsampa niya ng kaso laban dito. He promised to send this man to jail no matter how long he will fight against him. Pagpanhik niya ng bahay nakita niyang nag-aabang sa sala si Shantal. Her face looks terrible like a lioness who is in a state of anger.“Where have you been?” she asked him immediately, and her voice sounds pretty bad. In her mind, Brent went to his mistress again.
Kinabukasan maagang nagising si Brielle at nagtungo sa kwarto nilang mag-asawa. Tulog na tulog pa silang dalawa ng pumasok ito. Mabilis itong lumapit sa kama at lumapit sa pwesto ni Brent.“Daddy, Mommy! Wake up! It’s too late! It’s getting late, why are you still in bed?” boses nito na nangibabaw sa buong kwarto.Mabilis na dumilat ang mata ni Brent at umupo sa kama. “Hmm! My little boy. What time is it?”“Past nine o’clock in the morning, Daddy!” Brielle said cheerfully near his side.“Buddy, come here and lower down your voice, Mommy’s still sleeping,” mabilis siyang bumaba sa kama at kinarga ang anak.“Daddy! Aren’t you going to work