Magnus' POVOnce I received treatment, I insisted on being discharged right away. Vanna stayed with me the whole time. She was with me before I went into the emergency room, and when we came out, the investigation team approached us, but Aunt Catriona handled it without revealing any information."I'll drive," Vanna said at that moment. Aunt Catriona lent us one of her vehicles."Okay.""Tell me where to go," Vanna started the engine like a pro, fully prepared for this kind of situation."Alright, let’s head south. We’ll go that way.""Got it.""I need to call Peruvian." I said, quickly typing on my phone, and he answered shortly after."Hey dude!" he exclaimed immediately."Peruvian. I need your help!""What happened?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice."Are you okay? Is everyone alright? Austin called me too; someone is investigating him about you. It seems like they’re hunting for you and Vanna.""Yes, dude. We need to disappear; we’re going to set up a crime scene. We have
Magnus' POVAfter we cheered, I chided Peruvian again."What the hell are you hooking up during the day, you twerp? You're really something!""Why, is there a time for getting scratched?""Oh, how gross you are!" I rolled my eyes in disgust.Vanna, standing to the side, visibly couldn't join in on our topic."Well, back to our discussion. We're planning to go tomorrow, dude. I'll let Aunt Catriona find a middleman, it would be better if they're part of the organization to confirm the tragedy.""You're not fooling me, huh? So it's certain then?" Peruvian pressed further."I'm dead sure, man.""And we can pay you, whatever it takes, Peruvian… just help us," Vanna added, clearly serious."I'm not interested in the payment, Van." Peruvian countered."That's surprising, you're turning down money for the first time, Peruv?" I chimed in.He shook his head. "I can't ask for money from someone I owe, Magnus. You know that." He said, tapping my arm."We're brothers," he added."Thanks, man.""I
Magnus' POV"Whoa!" Peruvian exclaimed unexpectedly as he saw me picking up the abandoned top. We were drenched in sweat, as if we had been grilling something in that room."What the heck, dude?" I shot back, irritated.He just grinned and shook his head. "If I know, you're now relieved."I rolled my eyes."Come on, I set it up; you don't have to worry. All you need to do is put on the scuba gear. And of course, you must know how to close this vault and lift it before the explosion," Peruvian said, pulling something out of his bag.A paper?"This is the manual. I hope it can help," he said, turning to look at Vanna, who was quietly listening to our conversation from the side."I'll go now. Be careful," he added, tapping me on the shoulder."Thanks, bro."Peruvian smiled back and nodded. Once he went back up to the yacht, we immediately looked at the paper he gave us. This was what we needed to study. Vanna read through the manual while I checked the bag in the corner where our gear wa
Vanna's POVI woke up from my sleep to find myself alone. Magnus was no longer beside me, and it felt as if last night had been just a dream. I was covered only by my blanket as my eyes roamed around my room. Until I spotted a piece of paper on my bedside table, and I quickly reached for it and read.Sorry if I didn't wake you up. I will check the cruise ship; I have a brief meeting. Just stay here. Don't go outside. The food is on the table; please don't starve yourself. Love, Magnus.I was astonished by the way Magnus had written that note, which seemed to trigger a memory from my past. I was even more surprised when I noticed something lying on my table.It's a key on a chain necklace.I gently picked it up and casually let it hang in front of me."What is this?" I asked myself.I noticed the engraving on the key—it had his name. Tears began to fall as I was overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling. At that moment, I crouched down under my bed and twisted something around in a bag t
Vanna's POVWhen we arrived in Hawaii, we had no trouble disembarking because the staff from a group called Flinn were there to greet us.Magnus knew who to talk to and who could negotiate at that time; I just followed him, and knowing that we were in Hawaii, we needed to adopt a new identity from that moment on.Magnus glanced at me at that moment and took my right hand. He seemed very concerned for me; I was a bit tired from the trip, considering we had just done something familiar that involved sweat and cardio."Good day, sir. Welcome to Hawaii," said a man dressed in a white polo, joggers, and sandals. He was accompanied by three others like him, all observing the surroundings. It seemed he was ensuring our safe arrival."We need to go now, sir, ma'am," he added."Okay." Magnus and I almost spoke in unison. In fact, we were quite aware of our security; it was better to be safe.After getting into the car, it immediately started moving. We were holding onto each other inside. I lo
Magnus' POV"Unbelievable! It's a great day today, hon!" Vanna, or rather Mikaela, exclaimed as we drove along. I couldn't help but smile; I had no other wish than to see my loved one happy.Soon enough, we arrived at the resort I had visited before here in Hawaii.Mikaela and I got out of the car, and I took her hand. We walked inside until we reached the reception area. Many people were dressed for weddings, while others were in outfits like ours. People were happily greeting and chatting with one another as we made our way through the central area."What are we doing here?" Mikaela asked, clearly unsure of my intentions.When I spotted the person I was looking for, I casually tapped him on the back."Hey man! Congratulations," I said as he turned to face me.I was greeted by his joyful expression, especially when he recognized me and Vanna, or Mikaela."Congrats, man!" I said to my friend Ace. Both he and Peruvian were friends of ours. Wallace Monterossi is Peruvian's informant and
Magnus' POVI've noticed Vanna's silence. She hasn't said a word since we walked along the beach, and after that, we returned to the villa. The heavy rain seems imminent as we can already feel the cold, strong wind.I check the window and see raindrops falling outside. Vanna is on the couch, reading a book. It's past eight, but we still can't sleep.I decide to sit beside her; maybe we need to discuss our new plans here in Hawaii."Hon," I stroke her arm and pull her into a tight embrace. That's when I realize she's silently crying."W-what's wrong?" I ask her, looking into her eyes. I gently caress her cheek and speak to her."What's wrong, hon? What's the problem?""Nothing...""B-but why are you crying?""I said I'm fine...""No. You're not. You're breaking down, and I don't know what's going on with you. What should I do?""Nothing, Magnus. All I need is to cry it out; I want to express my frustrations. I want to let it out because all I know is that you don't understand what I fe
Vanna's POVI woke up with my hands cradling my head, my body felt so heavy as if it were being crushed by five sacks of rice. I can't even reach my other hand, and I can't control my legs; I feel so numb and useless. I looked around the room to see where I was. I know that I am in a hospital; I can see the machines beside me. I have IV lines in my hands, and I know it's dextrose. I remembered everything. I was bleeding last time, and I don't know why.After a while, someone entered wearing a white coat. I know he is a doctor, smiling while holding a file recorder."How are you feeling, Mrs. Corpuz?" It took a while for it to sink in that he was referring to me. Right, that's my new identity here in Hawaii."I can't move." That's all I said to him.He checked my vitals and the monitor of my pulse. "It's just the anesthesia.""What happened to me, doc? What's the case?""Oh, about your pregnancy? Don't worry, the baby is fine. You need to regain your energy and take vitamins; you're a
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