Magnus' POVThey were now sitting in their chosen corner, patiently waiting for their order. Vanna was hopeful, looking at Kenneth's serious face as he held her hand.Fuck it! I couldn't help but curse as I watched them. Thanks to Peruvian, I was able to locate Vanna. And I am thankful that she is still alive, but seeing her with another man is so painful for me.I had Kenneth's number, so I called him right away. When I saw him pick up the phone and start talking to me, I waited for a few minutes."Hello? Who's this?" he asked, sounding like he was about to hang up."It's me...Magnus." I said softly, noticing that he seemed to have received some bad news because his earlier pleasant demeanor had changed. The smile that used to grace his face was now replaced with a look of anger. I felt a sense of satisfaction from afar."Are you okay?" I heard Vanna's voice on the other end. I just stared at them.Patiently waiting for the moment to leave."Yeah, I am just...with my friend," Kenneth
Vanna's POVI see the arriving woman who is now staring out the closed window of Magnus's room. Everything is still complicated; I don't even know what to do.If she's Magnus's guardian, then why didn't she come to our wedding? And why did Magnus never tell me anything about her?I scrutinized her from head to toe. Her aura screams that she is wealthy. She's rich. She's powerful, and I guess she's dangerous.Our eyes accidentally met, so I quickly looked away.I knew she was approaching me at that moment. I tried to resist shaking any part of my body, but my hands couldn't help it. That's when I noticed she was right in front of me."Can I talk to you, alone..." she said, looking meaningfully at Jay behind me, signaling him not to interfere.I agreed and walked with her toward the hallway.I remained silent about whatever she was going to say. "Hija, tell me your cost; I will pay you whatever amount you need," she glanced at me
Vanna's POVThe table was set by that time; I knew Magnus was on his way. Kuya Jay called to say he was awake and feeling better. He apparently wanted to come home and rest here at the Villa. I just smiled while preparing in the kitchen."Oh, you’re all smiles today! You must be excited to see Magnus, right?" Peruvian said, grinning at me, holding a glass of lemonade."For sure, Vanna is lively again," Vittos added."Of course." I smiled and started washing my hands; I needed to prepare myself as well. I would head upstairs to get dressed and ready."You two handle things here for now," I told them. I continued up the stairs. Once in my room, I went straight to my dresser. I looked at my reflection in the mirror; despite being a bit sweaty, I could see that I had color compared to before. After my conversation with Mrs. Catriona, my desire to show her that I wasn't after Magnus for his money only intensified. I’ll prove it with my actio
Vanna's POVI woke up to voices that sounded like a heated argument. Covering myself with the blanket, I slowly sat up, only to be startled by what I saw. In front of me stood my mom and dad, their faces furious as they looked at me. Magnus was in my way, trying to shield me in our bed."Vanna! Get up now!" my dad shouted, veins bulging in his neck from anger."You heard us, daughter. Quickly! Get dressed!" Mom added, standing beside Dad."You can't take Vanna, sir; we've already agreed on this!" Magnus, wrapped only in a towel, interjected.But Dad was insistent and quickly seized me from the bed, yanking me away. Luckily, the blanket kept me covered. Mom hurriedly draped something over me and pulled me towards the bathroom. I cried out loud due to everything that was happening."What's happening, Mom? Why are you here? Why are you doing this?"She wiped my tears and cupped my face with her gentle hands. "Listen, Vanna. We know everything; Magnus's aunt told us everything, come on. L
Vanna's POVI am alone in my room sipping from this bottle. I am trapped in our own home. The situation has been manipulated and rushed. I don’t know what happened or why my parents took me away.“Bullshit!” I throw it somewhere, then fall silent. The only sound that echoes off the walls is the breaking of the bottle.Hours have passed, and I know it won’t be long before they open the door. It’s dinner time; someone will bring food here. I composed myself and waited a bit.I was leaning against the door when I heard soft footsteps from outside. Someone is coming.They are approaching my room.When the door opened, I was shocked by what I saw. It’s not our maid or Alfred. It’s not my mom or dad; how did she get into our house?“W-why are you here?” I stammered, my lips parted as I stared intently at her figure, from between her eyes to her entire form.It’s Mrs. Catriona.“I’m sorry for last time,” she said tersely, gently clasping her hands as she slowly stepped inside without permiss
Magnus' POVI didn’t hesitate when I reached the huge gate; I started to park my motorcycle behind the trees. I knew the secret path from the back that led inside—an escape route.Just like before, the grass was overgrown, but the path remained somewhat clear. I began checking my backpack and took out my survival knife.I needed to unlock the padlock there. Luckily, I knew how to fiddle with things, and I managed to open it. I kicked it hard, and the door creaked slightly open."Damn it!" I grabbed my bag and squatted down, hearing footsteps above me. The grass concealed me, so they didn’t see me. They were carrying high-caliber guns.I knew they were guarding the perimeter. I understood my aunt Cat’s plan. She took Vanna because that was her weakness. Despite what she had said, I still couldn’t believe that Jay and Vanna were her children. How could that be?What an outrageous claim.I wouldn't accept he
Vanna's POV"You answered!""Yes, it's you. You are my daughter, and I'm your real mother.""That can't be!""Yes, it is! I am your true mother, your brother is Jay, and I found you a long time ago. I just gathered the courage to introduce myself now, knowing that you're with this man, whom I least expected to be your husband. He's not meant for anyone, not even you, my child." Mrs. Catriona said, which was the reason why tears I had been holding back started to spill down my cheeks."Listen, Vanna. I didn't mean to..." Magnus interrupted us."Have you known for a long time?" I asked, my voice filled with hurt.He didn't answer.I covered my mouth in shock."All this time, Magnus?"He shook his head softly. "No.""Then when?!"I shifted my gaze between the two people there."I am doing this for you, Vanna. Please listen." Mrs. Catriona slowly walked closer to me. But I stepped back a bit; I co
Magnus' POVWe were on the road at that hour, still on the motorcycle. Vanna was holding onto my waist, clearly terrified of how I was driving.“We’re almost there,” I said to her. We were heading to the group's hideout, the secret place with Jay.“Don't move, Vanna. I'm going to speed up.” At that moment, I accelerated to full speed.That’s also how I was thinking about how to get through this. Everyone in the organization knew about the ordeal to kill Vanna. Fuck them!One of the rules of the organization is that an ordeal must be executed, especially once agreed upon by the three leaders. The triad.The main leader they call Santo, the second leader named Helena, and the third, one of Romero's sons, Mr. Horizon.I need to talk to them, one by one. I have to plead that they shouldn't go through with it.The first thing to do is to reverse the ordeal. I will take Vanna to them and explain th
Vanna's POVWe reported my dad to the police, and my brother Jay also cooperated to have him deported to the Philippines and sentenced to life imprisonment. At that moment, it became clear to me why Mama Catriona was so strict with me, why she was always following me around—she didn't want my real father to find us. She knew he had bad intentions towards us. She's been protecting us all along.Now, we were quietly making our way through the hospital. Mama Catriona said I needed to see my physician because she wanted to ensure that my children were okay. I had also sustained some bruises and a scrape on my arm.Magnus was by my side, worried about what had happened.I just held his hand and smiled. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."He gave a small smile in return.Mama took me to the hospital where Quil had also been taken. We found Austin and Mara there, along with a man who I guessed was Austin's brother, Quil's father.They took me to the emergency room for first aid. As we entered the r
Magnus' POVAfter chatting with Ace and Jinky, I return to the ground floor to check on Mara. I had been away for a few hours; Quil's operation might be over by now. As I descend, I immediately see Mara sitting in a plastic chair. Her head is resting against the wall, and her eyes are closed. She looks utterly exhausted. I sit next to her and gently drape my jacket over her.She stirs and smiles."Brother.""How's Quil?""The operating room still isn't open."Hearing that, I glance at my watch. It's past six in the evening. I estimate Quil's operation might not finish until around eight, so I decide to stand up and tell Mara I'll be stepping out briefly to buy some food."I'll buy some food; just stay here. Let's eat in the hallway.""Okay," she replies with a smile.I quickly head out to buy food from the nearby food court. The fast food brands are lined up, making it easy for me to choose. I go to a burger joint and orde
Magnus' POVI'm now calling Austin; I want to talk to his shameless brother. I need him as much as I need Quil to be okay. I want him to be there for his child's surgery. I want Quil to see that he is the father, to see that their family is whole, even though Mara didn't want to directly tell him the truth.The line connected immediately, and Austin spoke. "Yes, bro? What's up?" He had no idea what was happening."Hello, Austin, I need to talk to you...""Yes? What’s going on?""You have to know something.""What is it?""It's about your brother," I clenched my fist. I really wanted to punch that jerk."Aquil? Why?""I need him. I want you to give me his number; I want him to come here to Hawaii.""Is there a problem?""That brute got my twin sister pregnant six years ago; their child is already big, and my sister needs him here for the surgery. Tell him to face the responsibility he left behind, or I'll hold him accountable until the day he dies." I said this seriously.He was silent
Magnus' POVAfter visiting Mara, I transferred funds to her bank account for Quil's surgery. I also prepared a room where the mother and child could stay. Vanna agreed with my plans; in fact, she wanted company during her pregnancy because she was adjusting to her changing body. I'm thankful Mara is a nurse, as she’ll be able to assist Vanna.I also invested in a shop near a resort. It’s a farm one-stop shop where I will sell fresh vegetables that I harvest from our small piece of land.Vanna will give birth in just a few months. I am getting ready for what we will need and for the insurance for our triplets. It’s not easy to raise three children, especially considering all the expenses and planning for their future, including education. I don’t want to ask for even a single cent from Aunt Catriona. I want to support my family through my own hard work. Even if I have to start from scratch, I want the money I provide for my wife and family to come from legal sources."Hon, where are yo
Magnus' POVThe next day, I told Vanna that I would be stepping out for a bit; I needed to visit the hospital where Mara works. It's two hours away from where we live. It was past eight in the morning at that time. I held the steering wheel as I drove. In my left hand, I was holding her calling card. I was a bit excited, though my nerves were fraying. She has contact numbers, but I insisted it would be better to surprise her later. I picked out a bouquet of flowers as an apology.I couldn't wait at that moment.I had thoughts that maybe she would be furious and upset; after all, it wasn't a joke that we had been apart for almost three decades.When I reached the town, there was traffic, so I stayed in the car while waiting to move. It seemed there was a breakdown since a car was parked in the middle of the road. Many were irritated and honking at that car.When the flow finally resumed, I joined in.In just a few minutes, I would reach that exact hospital.I was driving fast because t
Vanna's POVBy that time, we were already in Magnus's car. I wasn’t expecting anything, but I had a feeling the group had a surprise for us. In fact, I was feeling mixed emotions, especially since I hadn’t told Magnus that we have three children. I was just looking at his reflection in the mirror above us. He was focused on driving, so I secretly smiled."I can see you," he said softly."You’re just fun to watch.""Is that so? You’re really teasing me." He smirked at me."You know what, I know you know what they're planning. Just spill it already..." I wanted him to reveal the secret.He shook his head. "I don’t know what they’re planning," Magnus admitted.I looked at him, trying to read his face. He seemed serious; he might not really know what was going on.A moment later, we arrived at the address given to us. Magnus got out first to open the door for me. When he opened it from the outside, he gently took my hand."Let’s go, hon.""Thanks.""After you," he said while holding my ha
Vanna's POVWe have arrived back at our house in Hawaii. The four of them said goodbye and mentioned they would prepare for their tour; they will be back later. So, after getting off, I immediately went to the living room where only Magnus was present."Where are the boys?" I asked."They're hanging around Hawaii, I think they want to explore. How about the girls?" He asked me back."Well, they said they had somewhere to go," I replied. Magnus and I exchanged glances. It seemed like we were set up together today."How's the clinic? What's the gender of our child?"I pouted my lips. "Not too fast, you still can't know..."He smiled at me, stepped closer, and hugged me. "Well, I don't care about the gender; what’s important is that you give birth to them."I just smiled at this.While Magnus and I were in that position, my phone suddenly rang. It was Paris. She sent me a message.'Please wear a formal dress,' that was all her message said."Formal dress?" Magnus asked. But before I coul
Magnus' POVIt was past three in the morning, but we were still awake on the balcony. The girls had fallen asleep in the room, leaving only Jay, Vittos, Vlad, Vance, Viel, Peruvian, Austin, and Aries awake.We were seated around a circular table where drinks and snacks were laid out. We weren't drunk yet and were currently discussing the ordeal and how Vanna and I managed to survive."I can't believe you guys did that! You’re so tough, dude!" Austin said as he poured a drink into his glass. A few others were just listening intently."So what's your plan now?" Vittos asked.I cleared my throat and slumped slightly."Vanna is going to give birth to our child; that is our only way to break the law.""Break the law?" Vance asked, clearly concerned about his sister."Yes. Once Vanna gives birth, the kid will be the next leader of the association. The ordeal against us will be nullified, and we can revise it sooner.""But bro, they think you guys are dead. What about that? The consequence o
Vanna's POVI wake up early because I find a comforting smell beside my bed. I won’t deny it, but I’m happy with Magnus; it’s the way he treats me and makes me feel special to him.I see a cup of coffee on my bedside table, with a sticky note Magnus put there that has a smiley face on it.He really treats me extra special, my mind rambles as I can’t understand why I’m smiling. After getting ready and arranging the bed, I head to the living room. I notice he’s not there, and a wave of anxiety hits me.Where the hell is that idiot? I mutter to myself as I look around the living room and kitchen, but when I stumble upon the garden area and see something bright sticking out, I go towards it.I cautiously peek at Magnus there. I see his figure turned away, squatting on the ground while holding a large piece of paper. It seems he has plans for the garden. He’s bent over looking at something spread out on the wide ground.I clear my throat slightly to make him aware of my presence.“Oh, good