HUDSON'S POVI looked at Clark, who shook his head in disbelief. "It couldn't be." I sat up as I remembered Aceia's reaction when we saw each other at the mall with Alison. "She hid her pregnancy at me…"I shook my head and laughed and cried like a madman. I didn't know how to feel."So, Alison is really your daughter?" Sanchez asked, confused."Do you know how many times I've asked for that?" I laughed and asked Clark and Sanchez, who were just looking at me, "So, for five years my daughter didn't have a father on her side? Why is this happening to me? Two of my kids grow up without a father." I washed my face with both hands. "Do you know that feeling of being useless? I didn't give the love that my daughter deserves."I stood up in so much frustration. I needed to let it out. I clenched my fist and punched the wall near me. Pain sipped through my knuckles, but I didn't stop. I punched the wall until I couldn't raise my hand anymore. I rubbed my tear-filled eyes. I was crying in so m
ACEIA'S POVIt's been five days since the accident happened. So I decided to introduce Alison to her dad. My heart was beating rapidly.Alison is doing fine; all of her tests were good. All she needs to do is take a rest. I didn't tell Alison that her father was already by her side. But as the days passed, I could see in Hudson's face that she wanted to hug and introduce himself to our daughter, so maybe it's time."Alison," I called nervously. "Would you believe me when I tell you that Daddy is here?"Alison's smile immediately disappeared, and she was confused by what I said. She blinked and looked around. Seeing nothing, she looked back at me, not speaking."Do you want to meet him?" I caressed his face."Of course, Mommy," she said in a soft voice. She sounded excited, too. I just don't know what her real reaction will be when she knows that Hudson is her father.Alison was sitting on her bed, holding her teddy bear. I let out a sigh of relief before I spoke."You may come in," I s
ACEIA'S POVIt's been one month, and we can be discharged from the hospital today. I'm glad that we can finally go home. Hudson takes care of everything.Hudson didn't let us go home until the doctor said that it was safe to go. Hudson was so anxious that he really wanted to talk to our doctor so that he could be aware."Daddy, I'm excited to show you my awards and medals. Mommy says you are smart, so I give my best to have my achievements so that if we meet, I can have something to show you so that you will be proud of me," Alison said while Hudson was feeding her food."That's my girl. But baby, you don't have to have a medal so that I can be proud of you. I'm already proud because you're my daughter."Hudson softly caressed Alison's hair, then looked at Knoxx, who happened to be there to visit me and my daughter."Hey, bud, can you contact Wilson for me? Please tell him that he needs to fill my refrigerator in my house with food and then buy me another refrigerator for other food li
ACEIA'S POVAfter three months, Hudson kept his promise to Alison that we were going to Hong Kong Disney to see if Alison would recover from the accident.And now that we are both fully healed, We are now in Japan. We planned to tour around because that is what Alison wants.Me and Alison were in the hotel room, and Hudson was out to buy something. I was busy braiding Alison when Hudson came back."Daddy!" Alison wanted to run to Hudson, but she couldn't because I was braiding her hair."Hi, love." Hudson walked towards our daughter and kissed the top of her head.It took us a minute before we were done with our thing. I took Alison's pink backpack to put the things she needed in. I put wipes, a tissue, a towel, an old phone so I could track her, and an extra shirt. It's not that heavy, so Alison can carry it on her back. If not, Hudson is here. I grinned.I Alison's hair, just like Elsa, even put flowers and butterfly clips, obviously played with. Hudson took Alison's trench coat and
ACEIA'S POVWe came back from Hong Kong Disney Land, and it was the most fantastic week that I have experienced in my life, especially since we are complete as a family. but I didn't expect that it would end the happiness I felt.When I saw the woman who caused me pain,As I watched Marthina, who had previously been weak and battling illness, approach the room with fresh ease and improvement, the air in Hudson's elegantly decorated house seemed to thicken with tension. When Hudson suddenly saw her sitting on the couch, her graceful figure stood in strong contrast to the images of her battling a fatal illness. His eyes widened.Hudson, trying to mask his surprise, managed to stammer, "Marthina? I... I didn't expect you here. I told you if you need anything, just call my secretary and he will arrange it for you."A subtle smile played on Marthina's lips as she responded, "Well, life is full of surprises, isn't it? I wanted to see you, not your secretary."Hudson, recovering from the init
ACEIA'S POVAs the sun rose, it filled the expansive corporate offices with a golden color, embracing me with the comforting embrace of my family's legacy. The burden of responsibility became a familiar companion to me as I walked. I had no idea that the beautifully maintained walls of the corporation would soon unlock the chapters of my life that I had long thought to be closed.I went about my work in the CEO's office, where the smell of old wood pervaded the air. My focus was drawn to the complicated dance of running a family business, which protected me from the storm that gathered in the unknown hallways.The corporate headquarters buzzed with activity, and after wrapping up my tasks, I decided to take a short break for coffee. Instead of burdening my secretary, I opted to do a quick coffee run myself.As I approached the elevator, a familiar figure caught my eye. When she turned around, astonishment washed over me as I realized it was Marthina.“Marthina?”Marthina turned, her cu
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
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