ACEIA'S POVI woke up in the morning and immediately looked at the left side of the bed. The bed was ironed, and there was no sign that Hudson had slept there. Hudson never came home. Again, it was as if something was squeezing my heart. I was completely overwhelmed by extreme sadness. I fell asleep early. I could feel my eyelids swelling because I cried all night.The door of the walk-in closet opened, and Mother Carmelita came out with my small suitcase."You're awake, Senorita Aceia. What else are you bringing?" My brows crumpled, running my hands through my face."Why? What are you talking about?""Señor Hudson, tell me to fix your things. What else are you going to bring besides your clothes so I can put them here?""Why? Where are we going? Did he come home? What time did he come home?" I bombarded the old woman with questions."He went home this morning. He didn't say where you were going. He just told me to fix your things."Then the door opened. My heart seemed to do somersau
ACEIA'S POVHudson and I haven't seen each other for FIVE DAYS. Sometimes he calls me, but not too often. I was currently in the living room talking to Kathrina, Hudson's cousin. I remember how I was jealous of her when I didn't know that she was Hudson's cousin. The man told her to visit me at my parents house. It is strange that she did not know that Hudson went to Spain."Why didn't that man tell me that he's in Spain? And why didn't he take you with him? I heard his mom wants you to go to Spain." When she and Hudson got married, I didn't see his mother again, only his father. Maybe his mom doesn't want to come to New York and chooses to stay in Spain.Hudson's father came back and forth to New York because he was busy expanding their business with the help of my family and Hudson. His dad wants to be hands-on with their company, even though he already handed it to Hudson."Maybe he goes back to Spain because his dad needs his help with their company there. That's why he didn't tak
ACEIA'S POVI stood speechless on the veranda of Hudson's room. I was holding on to the baluster and looking at the view that makes me calm for all the things that I've learned today. Phoenix is indeed Hudson's son. He didn't deny it. And I am hurt. All I wanted at this time was to go home. I felt that I had no place here, especially in Hudson's life.If this had happened before, I would not hesitate to tell my parents so that they would be the ones to file for divorce, but now I don't know why I couldn't do it. There is a part of me that wants to stay, but I don't want to look pathetic. I know my worth as a woman.Hudson's first love is here with their son. I don't have a fight with that woman when the first place is that they have a child, while I was a woman who was forced to be married to him, and on top of that, Marthina is Hudson's first love and ex-wife, so there's no doubt that Hudson would choose them.Phoenix is four years old. I had no right to blame Hudson for having a chi
ACEIA'S POVWe went to the room where Marthina and Phoenix stayed. Hudson opened the door after giving a warning knock. The woman sitting at the edge of the bed smiled at me when she saw me, and the boy shouted "Dad". It was weird that Marthina smiled at me because I know there's something wrong with her; it was not genuine. I could feel it.Phoenix was in the middle of the bed, playing with his robot. Hudson held my back as we entered the room. I simply moved my body to remove his hand. I'm still mad at him, especially while I was looking at Marthina.I can't forget that Hudson really left me in New York just to go to Spain to see his son and this woman. I know it's his responsibility to take care of his son, but I can't really stand looking at Marthina."Don't touch me!" I whimpered. I heard Hudson sigh."Marthina, this is my wife, Aceia.""Hi!" I greeted the woman without emotion, not letting Hudson finish what he was going to say. I walked towards the bed and looked at the boy. Th
ACEIA'S POVWhile we were facing each other on the patio in the garden, I stared intently at Marthina. She bent down and fixed her hair slightly. I slowly took a deep breath. I'm proud of myself for being calm. What happened to me? Why am I able to stay calm in this situation? I used to be a war freak when I thought people hurt me or did something bad to me.I invited Marthina to talk while Phenix and Hudson were in the kitchen eating pancakes."Why now? Why did you tell Hudson about it, your son?" I asked after a long moment of silence."I don't want to cause trouble, Aceia. My son needs a father.""After 5 years, you only thought of that! I wish you had said it before, Marthina. Because whether you like it or not, you're already causing us trouble. And why here? Why are you staying here? What's your plan?""I'm leaving soon.""When?" I didn't want to be a hypocrite, but I wanted this woman to disappear and leave us alone."I don't know. Maybe next month, after two months or more. On
HUDSON'S POV"What will happen now, Hudson?" Marthina said as we lay side by side on the lounge chair. I don't want our position right now, but Marthina insisted, and I don't have any choice but to agree."I don't know, but one thing is for sure: nothing's going to change. I will still stay with Aceia while I'm fulfilling my responsibility as a father to our child.""And do you think that will happen?" Marthina chuckled. "Do you think your wife is okay with this kind of setup? From what I observe, she doesn't like what is happening.""I don't have a choice but to do this.""You have, Hudson." Marthina cut me off. "You just have to leave her and be with me."He wants to shout at Marthina. I thought it was clear to her that I was doing this for the sake of our child. Then why is she trying to convince me to leave Aceia, which will not happen?"Stop it, Marthina; you knew that I would not do that."Marthina looked at me, and there was a disagreement on her face. "Why? Do you love her? I
ACEIA'S POV "Aceia! What happened?" He came closer and cursed when he realized that my thighs and buttocks were exposed to the eyes of another man."What did you do to my wife?" Hudson angrily accused the man. He pushed Diego away and covered my exposed thigh."Let him treat me. You leave!" I said while still laying on the sofa. I was annoyed by Hudson."You heard her; he wants me—""Try to touch my wife, and I will fucking kill you." Hudson's snarling tone of protective dominance sent goosebumps through my flesh."What did you do to my wife?""I just helped your wife back here. If you weren't an asshole to leave your wife in the dense forest while bathing almost naked in the stream," Hudson turned and looked at me, his face dark."From then until now, your face is still thick as fuck, isn't it? You really put your ex and your wife together in the same house. You even bought your bastard son!" I looked at the two again as I felt that Diego's anger was too much and that there was a do
ACEIA'S POVHudson still loves Marthina. I could feel it. My heart shattered into a million pieces."What's wrong, Mommy Ace?" Phoenix's sad voice pulled me out of my trance. I wiped away the tears I didn't even realize had fallen.And that got the attention of Marthina and Hudson."Aceia?" I put Phoenix down, then I ran towards our room. I ran to the bathroom, leaned my back against the door, and cried.Does I really have a place in Hudson's heart? It hurts every time I see them. It's like I'm the only one who believes that I still have a place in my husband's heart."Aceia?" Hudson called out, followed by soft knocks on the door. I probably need to tell Hudson what I think. I don't want what is happening. It hurts too much. I wipe my wet cheek with my palm before opening the door."Ace?" Hudson said softly."Are you even aware that you've been hurting me since yesterday, Hudson?""Ace?" I punched him hard in the chest before I left the bathroom."You are fucking insensitive!" I bell
HUDSON'S POVIt began when my parents decided I should attend a math camp, assuring me it would be a joyful experience while they were away. Little did they know that it would become the catalyst for a traumatic event, pushing my life to the edge of death.As Sunday afternoon descended, we meticulously packed our belongings, getting ready to head home. The facilitator signaled the end, prompting us to board the bus. The journey commenced serenely, and I immersed myself in a book, oblivious to the impending disruption.Suddenly, the bus screeched to a halt, shattering the tranquility. My eyes darted outside, revealing an eerie silence only disturbed by the entrance of an armed stranger.Chaos erupted as the man discharged his weapon, sending children into fits of panic. Fear gripped me too, yet I chose to remain silent.Soon, we found ourselves at the mercy of these assailants. Tears flowed from frightened children yearning to return home. Amid the gunfire, a rescue mission unfolded, c
ACEIA'S POVWith all that had happened, I felt like I needed to find closure because of the overwhelming weight that was on my shoulders. I understood that knowing the truth was essential if I was going to embrace a happy future.After receiving confirmation that my daughter was safe, I set off to visit my parents. There were secrets hanging in the air, and it was time to face the ghosts of the past. As I walked up to the door, the air crackled with expectation, and I felt a mixture of resolution and nervousness in my veins.As I sat across from my father, a guy with many life experiences and unspoken stories, I forced myself to go deeper into our family's past. It was as though the walls were listening closely to everything I said, and the weight of unspoken truths echoed throughout the room.For an instant, my father wavered, a trace of regret visible in his eyes. Subsequently, he started to reveal a story of love and sorrow in a voice that carried the weight of decades. He added, "M
ACEIA'S POVHudson and I ran across the sterile hallway, our footsteps hitting the chilly hospital walls like cries for help. The fluorescent lights pulsed harshly overhead, creating eerie shadows that reflected the turmoil in our hearts. Seated on the emergency bed, our daughter was a delicate figure among the difficult chaos of life-threatening medical situations.My vision became blurry as we approached the surgical room. Hudson, who was equally upset, desperately tried to hold onto our hand to help steady ourselves in the emotional storm. The sobs of a pained mother resonated with the far-off wails of sirens outside.The door to the operating room flew open, showing a surgeon whose face reflected the seriousness of the situation. As I talked, my voice quivered, and the words came out of my mouth like thin whispers in the storm.My eyes gleamed with worry as I asked, "Is she... is she going to be okay?" but the surgeon's grave expression offered no instant comfort.The surgeon gave
ACEIA'S POVWhen the man finally tore my top off, I forced myself to get away from him, even though it was difficult to do. I scooted away, trying to get away, but my legs were yanked back with force.Tears were flowing down my cheeks as I looked at Alison, who was still crying. "No, please. Don't do this," I begged.Marthina spoke, casually playing with the gun in her hand while still sitting in front of me, interrupting the terrifying image. "You know, when I was young..."Captivated by her words, I turned to face her. She related the heartbreaking story of how my father abandoned them when she was a young girl, leaving her mother hopeless. She stated, "I never had a happy childhood because your father took that away from me. When he left, my mother fell into madness, unable to care for me. I had to work to survive," before suddenly pressing the trigger, deafening Alison with her cry.I tried again, desperate to get out of the man's grasp, but I was quite conscious that all that was
ACEIA'S POVMy head was hammering when I woke up, like a relentless hammer, causing unbearable pain. The agony in my brain was getting closer to breaking, so I tried to get up and looked around as it did.Alison and I ended up sitting on the ground, tied, and surrounded by rusting, run-down cars in an abandoned car factory.I had no idea where we were.I had flashbacks to Alison, and I went for ice cream, but they were cut short as Marthina barged in holding a gun.After being made to sign a document and given a numbing agent, our bodies passed out. As we awoke, the terrible truth of our imprisonment became apparent.There was one thing we knew for sure: Marthina had planned our kidnapping. Her intentions were still unclear, but she acted with malice in her eyes.Turning to the sound of Alison’s soft sobs, I took a deep breath to compose myself, resisting the urge to succumb to fear.The uncertainty of impending help gnawed at me. All I could hope for was that Hudson was actively searc
ACEIA'S POVIt had been a full week since the intenseencounter with Marthina. I didn't talk to my father after that. I purposefully chose to keep this distance because I needed time to gather my thoughts and reflect before bringing up the hard topic. Even though I really should be talking to my dad and making sure Marthina and Alexander are telling the truth, I take comfort in these quiet times, letting my ideas settle before facing the storm that is coming.This self-imposed break from face-to-face interaction is making my internal turmoil even more confusing. My logical mind begs me to speak with my father immediately in order to get clarification and closure. It is full of longing for pure clarity, wanting to remove any doubt from Marthina's charges and Alexander's remarks. However, the soft murmurs of my heart beg me to take my time, to temper the urgency with a measured resolution, so that feelings don't overshadow any revelations that may come to light.There is a constant feeli
ACEIA'S POVMy mind was jumbled with doubts as I looked at the man in front of us. His manner was sincere, yet there was a persistent suspicion that persisted in the back of my mind. Was he trustworthy? Are we to believe all he said? My eyes studied his facial expressions, searching for any hints while she considered these questions.I questioned whether there was a process for figuring out what defines authenticity or a guide that explained how to deal with the complexities of trust. As the silence lingered between them, I thought about the importance of every word that was said. Was there a clue in his eyes—a slight change in the way he held himself—that would expose the truth?As I kept talking to myself, I fought with the problem of making choices based solely on beliefs. What actions should I take to make sure I'm not misled if I decide to trust? I felt the weight of the situation pressing down on me, forcing me to choose between being sincere and lying. I realized that the way fo
ACEIA'S POV I woke up to a fairly normal workday with very little on my schedule. Driven by the need to give priority to the things that really mattered, I made an unusual decision. Choosing to stay at home, I made the most of my unexpected free day by spending it with my kid. As we explored the simple pleasures of reading aloud, making cookies, and playing games,Following our different adventures, Alison fell into sleepiness and went to bed. Driven, it seemed, by an ongoing restlessness, I sat in the soft light of my laptop, expecting to lose myself in the routine work of checking files.A distant memory emerged as the room filled with the quiet hum of the laptop: a USB card placed in my bags. After getting it back, I started looking for files in its small memory. But somewhere among the things in my bag, I found a strange calling card—something to remember from the mysterious stranger who had passed me by the day before.The card was silently inviting me to inquire as it settled in
ACEIA'S POVI used to have so much wonderful family time, but the burden of running the family business left me exhausted, and my daughter Alison would sulk even on the weekends. I was determined to stop this cycle, so I made the decision to finish work early today and give my scheduled time for bonding with her and Hudson top priority.“Ma’am, you have a board meeting in 30 minutes, followed by a lunch meeting with Mr. Perales. I've arranged a restaurant reservation for that,” my secretary informed me, her voice cutting through the endless stack of reports I was sifting through."Okay, just let me know when it's time for lunch," I replied, my focus still immersed in the sea of paperwork that demanded my attention.While I was signing documents, my secretary gently reminded me that the board members were still waiting. He nodded, and I got up, gathered up my coat, and made my way to the boardroom, wondering aloud if Marthina, who had always been concerned about the company, would be am