The air between us crackled with tension as Richard—or Leon—stood there, his face shadowed under the chandelier's light. My breath caught in my throat as every nerve in my body screamed at me to demand the truth.But his expression stopped me cold. There was something different about him. A determination, a vulnerability I hadn't seen in Richard before. It was hauntingly familiar, like the Leon I had known, but more guarded.“Margarette,” he said softly, stepping closer. “Please, we need to talk. Privately.”I folded my arms tightly across my chest, willing my voice not to betray the storm raging inside me. “You’ve got a lot of nerve coming here after everything, don’t you think?”He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I know how this looks. But I need you to hear me out.”“Do you?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care. “Do you need me to hear how you let me think you were dead for over a year? How you’ve been parading around as someone else with a new wi
I recline my body serenely on the plush bed. My garments lay discarded on the floor.As I stood there unclothed, my skin adorned with a multitude of passionate imprints of his. My legs felt slightly slick, a lingering reminder of the passion we had just shared.My ebony locks cascaded gracefully down my small frame, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication. All for his eyes. Although I appeared calm and composed, being in his presence still brings me nothing but a tingling thrill."What's the matter, Marga?"A firm grip enveloped my delicate waist from behind. His calloused fingers caressed my skin as he skillfully reached down.I simply adored it when Justin affectionately referred to me by that nickname of mine, especially when he whispered it gently in my ear. It seemed incredibly captivating, causing ny heart to skip a beat. Justin's eyes fluttered open, taking in the sight of my body. Yet, his hands continued to move without pause. He was filled with an irresistible allure.
I had initially graduated with a degree in acting. After I tied the knot with Justin Montefalco, I have decided to let go of my dreams of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.Additionally, possessing an air of innocence and irresistible charm, I've already heard that I was the object of desire for many in the entertainment industry. But of course, Justin preferred to keep his possessions out of the reach of others which was why I couldn't be able to pursue it.And since now that they were ending this marriage, there was no need for him to be so spiteful."Alright, once the divorce is finalized, I'll make sure Hector helps you get in the industry much easier," Justin said, assuring me. "With your exceptional talents, it won't be long before you achieve widespread recognition as an actress, my little rabbit." Justin Montefalco's voice exuded a touch of frostiness.He was determined to go through with it. Meanwhile, it left me torn between conflicting emotions.I couldn't be
Justin hurried his footsteps outside just as after he saw from the screen that it was Regina calling. Cautiously avoiding letting me hear whatever conversation they would have. Of course, I pretended I didn’t know it was her. Following their conversation, Justin returned and promptly headed towards the walk-in closet adjacent to our bed to get some new clothes.“Who called you just now?” I asked, pretending I was not aware it was Regina.Anyone would easily say that I look so pathetic given how I actually tried to act like it’s fine when it’s not.“There is something I need to see at the office.” Justin replied.“In this early morning?” I asked with a soft grin on my face.He was such a pretty bad liar. But even as a bad liar, I found myself always swayed by his figure that was just extremely perfect. His broad shoulders and his narrow waist. The muscles on Justin’s body were just the right amount, and he exuded sexiness. His extremely handsome appearance made him the dream lover o
It was impossible for Doctor Lou to contain her shock. My parents were her teachers. Since the time that they had passed away, Doctor Lou had received very little information regarding me.Surprisingly, upon our unexpected reunion, I found myself in the midst of marriage and pregnancy. To complicate matters further, I now had to approach her with a delicate request - to keep my impending pregnancy a secret.She asked, “Why?”“I intend to retain custody of this child even though I am divorcing my husband. I refuse to entrust this child to my husband or anyone else.” I let Doctor Lou delicately place her hand on my stomach, her eyes brimming with the tenderness of a shared motherhood."You naive young thing. It is not solely your responsibility to care for the child. Furthermore, your husband is obligated to accept responsibility of the child too. Are you aware of how challenging it can be for a woman to lead a child after she has been divorced?” Doctor Lou's heart was filled with sorr
"Oh, what a surprise to see you here as well."I greeted her with a casual smile, not showing any particular interest.Regina observed my fragile demeanor. Her attire exuded an air of elegance and sophistication, reflecting her refined taste. It appeared that Justin had been quite generous with his financial gestures towards her over the years.I can't believe as these were supposed to be mine!"Indeed, I am afflicted with leukemia. Justin went out of his way to make sure I was admitted to this hospital and assured me that they are highly skilled in treating leukemia." Regina's eyes burned with a mix of envy and animosity, yet her voice remained detached."Leukemia?" I was absolutely taken aback."Yes. According to Justin, your parents were highly knowledgeable about leukemia and had a history of working at this hospital. Thus, numerous treatments and methods have been left behind by them who worked here before." Regina couldn't help but bring up Justin in every single sentence she ut
"Yes, I am aware." Regina pressed her lips together, responding with empathy.Unable to tolerate the wait any longer, I swiftly whisked Justin away from the hospital.As soon as we reached the exclusive restaurant I had mentioned, I wasted no time in placing a generous order for multiple delectable dishes. "Duck soup, prawn meat dumplings, garlic beef bone marrow..."These dishes are packed with essential nutrients.Once I placed my order, I made sure to inquire with Justin about his culinary preferences. "What would you like to have?" I asked him."Feel free to indulge in a delicious meal. I'm not hungry," Justin replied with a distant look on his face.I couldn't help but break into a warm smile. "Of course. Would you be interested in having dinner with Regina after you have already consumed enough food to satisfy your hunger? You could consider getting a meal for her. There is no doubt that the food served at this establishment is of the highest quality.”I attempted to bear with t
"I told you, don't be too greedy!" Justin's face was filled with a deep sense of sadness.However, fear did not consume me. I was on the verge of losing it all anyway, so what was there left for me to fear?With the child growing inside me and my last bit of self-respect on the line, I was determined not to make any compromises this time."I believe we don't need to finish this meal. I already lost my apettite." I grabbed my bag, my face devoid of emotion. Justin was fully aware of the depth of my affection for him.However, he had exploited my emotions, oblivious to the fact that I would also experience heartache.Once I left the restaurant, I took a moment to collect my feelings before returning to Montefalco's ancestral home in order to see grandma.Grandma was incredibly kind and loving towards me, just like a grandmother should be. Despite my disagreement with Justin, I couldn't overlook the significance of his grandmother.In addition, grandma has been experiencing some health i
The air between us crackled with tension as Richard—or Leon—stood there, his face shadowed under the chandelier's light. My breath caught in my throat as every nerve in my body screamed at me to demand the truth.But his expression stopped me cold. There was something different about him. A determination, a vulnerability I hadn't seen in Richard before. It was hauntingly familiar, like the Leon I had known, but more guarded.“Margarette,” he said softly, stepping closer. “Please, we need to talk. Privately.”I folded my arms tightly across my chest, willing my voice not to betray the storm raging inside me. “You’ve got a lot of nerve coming here after everything, don’t you think?”He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I know how this looks. But I need you to hear me out.”“Do you?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care. “Do you need me to hear how you let me think you were dead for over a year? How you’ve been parading around as someone else with a new wi
The dinner concluded without any more noticeable tension, but the unease in my chest lingered. I felt as though I was navigating a labyrinth, with Richard—or Leon—deliberately placing roadblocks at every turn. His calculated demeanor only fueled my determination to uncover the truth.The following day, Greg sent a cryptic text: I’ve found something. You’ll want to see this.We met in a secluded café downtown. Greg was seated at a corner table, his laptop open and his expression grim.“What is it?” I asked, sliding into the chair across from him.Greg turned the screen toward me. “I dug into Richard Ledesma’s background. His records only go back three years. Before that, it’s a dead end.”I frowned. “That doesn’t prove anything. People can start fresh.”Greg smirked, shaking his head. “I thought the same, but then I checked immigration records. He entered the country three years ago under the name Richard Ledesma—on the same day Leon Montefalco was declared dead.”My heart stopped. “W
The next morning, I woke up with the determination to move my investigation forward. I couldn’t allow myself to second-guess anymore; I needed to confront my doubts head-on. After receiving a late-night message from Greg confirming that the private investigator was analyzing the photos I’d taken, I knew my next step: I had to keep close to Richard without raising suspicion.My phone buzzed with another message—this time from Sarah, Richard’s wife.“Ms. Margarette, it was lovely meeting you at the gala. Richard and I were discussing the possibility of collaborating with your resort. Let’s schedule a meeting.”Her text was polite, professional, and unnervingly convenient. Was this an opportunity or a trap?Later that day, as I sat in the conference room of the casino’s business wing, I prepared myself for the meeting. Sarah had brought the proposal for her travel company to integrate luxury packages with Montefalco Casino Resort. It was a lucrative concept, but my focus was on the man s
The phone rang twice before Aunt Lou’s warm voice came through the line.“Margarette, darling! What a surprise,” she said, her tone immediately soothing the storm that had been raging in my chest since last night.“Aunt Lou,” I began, my voice trembling despite my attempts to sound composed. “I need to talk to you.”There was a pause, and I could almost picture her setting down whatever she was doing to give me her full attention. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”I swallowed hard, staring out the window at the city skyline. “I saw him. I saw Leon.”The words hung in the air, heavy and surreal.“Margarette,” Aunt Lou said carefully, her voice laced with concern, “Leon is… you know that’s not possible.”“I know what I saw,” I insisted, my grip tightening on the phone. “He’s alive, Aunt Lou. He’s calling himself Richard Ledesma now, and he’s claiming he doesn’t know me. But it’s him—I’d stake my life on it.”There was a long silence on the other end before Aunt Lou spoke again, her voice soft
The next day…The clock in my office ticked incessantly, a stark contrast to the silence engulfing the room. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying the image of Leon—no, Richard—over and over. The man’s indifference, his sharp denial, the introduction of his wife. Each detail felt like a dagger twisting deeper into the raw wound in my chest.I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t think. And I certainly couldn’t let this go.William’s words echoed in my mind: If Leon were alive, why wouldn’t he have come back to you? It was the most painful question because it was one I couldn’t answer. What could keep him from me?As much as I wanted to storm after Richard and demand answers, I knew I had to approach this carefully. For now, I needed information.The following morning, I called on William and our head of security, Greg. Both of them stood across from me in my office, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.“I need your help,” I began, my voice resolute d
I stood frozen in place, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses from the gala fading into a dull hum in my ears. My heart pounded so violently it felt as though it might leap out of my chest. Leon—no, it couldn't be. Yet there he was, mere steps away, brushing through the elegantly dressed crowd. His hair, once so familiar, was now styled neatly in a brushed-up look, and he wore a tailored tuxedo that clung perfectly to his broad shoulders. He looked different, sharper, yet so achingly the same.I felt my breath hitch as tears welled in my eyes. My body moved on its own, feet carrying me forward before my mind could catch up. My voice trembled as I whispered, “Leon…”He turned toward me, his dark eyes meeting mine. The shock hit me all over again, rendering me nearly speechless. His gaze didn’t carry the same warmth I remembered; it was steady, almost guarded.“Yes?” His voice was calm, neutral, and filled with polite curiosity.I couldn’t stop myself. Tears spilled down my cheeks
The Montefalco Casino Resort had never looked as stunning as it did tonight. The grand ballroom shimmered under a cascade of crystal chandeliers, their light bouncing off the polished marble floors and bathing the guests in a golden glow. The gala was in full swing, and the VIP attendees, dressed in their finest attire, mingled with glasses of champagne in hand.I stood near the stage, taking it all in. Months of preparation, countless sleepless nights, and a rollercoaster of emotions had led to this moment. Despite my nerves, everything was running like clockwork, far better than I had dared to hope.William appeared at my side, his tailored suit fitting him perfectly. He handed me a glass of champagne."Take a breath, Margarette," he said with a warm smile. "This is your moment."I nodded, though my grip on the glass betrayed my lingering anxiety. "It still feels surreal," I admitted."You’ve earned it," William said, his voice steady. "Every single person here knows it."A soft chim
The final day before the gala arrived like a tidal wave, crashing down with a mix of anticipation and chaos. I was in my office at sunrise, staring out the window at the bustling resort below. Everything seemed to be running smoothly—too smoothly, perhaps. My gut told me something would go wrong.I didn't have to wait long."Margarette!" William burst into my office, his face pale and tense. "We have a problem."My stomach dropped. "What is it?""The entertainment for tomorrow night," he said, running a hand through his hair. "The lead performer called in sick. He’s out with severe laryngitis, and his backup has a prior engagement."I froze, trying to process the information. The performers were a centerpiece of the gala, a major draw for our VIP guests. Without them, the event would lose much of its luster."How did this happen?" I asked, my voice sharp with frustration."I don’t know," William admitted, looking genuinely distraught. "But we need to figure something out—fast."Before
The days following my encounter with Ms. Reyes were a whirlwind. I threw myself into work, determined to prove my worth to the board of trustees and solidify my place as the new CEO of the Montefalco Casino Resort. Yet, no matter how much progress I made, I couldn’t ignore the lingering tension in the air or the feeling that I was constantly being scrutinized.One particular morning, the air in my office felt heavier than usual. I sat at my desk, reviewing reports, while the distant hum of the resort’s activities filtered through the walls. The gala was only two weeks away, and the pressure to deliver was palpable.As if sensing my stress, William knocked on my door and entered with his usual air of confidence. He carried two cups of coffee and handed one to me with a small smile.“Thought you could use this,” he said, settling into the chair across from my desk.“Thanks,” I said, taking a sip. “You’re a lifesaver.”He leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. “How are you hold