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21.
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-04 23:34:22
Kaugnay na kabanata
Mistaken Identity 22.
Avery’s POV Avery’s voice was softer this time, cautious. This was no longer about the torn book, it was something else. Neal wouldn’t have just blurted out a statement like that. “What do you mean, baby?” She asked him.“Your father is Henry, and I told you that he’s no longer with us. Not because he couldn’t, but because he’s dead…” she added for emphasis sake.Neal looked at her, blinking innocently like he had just not made a statement that shook her. “Not Henry.” He muttered.Avery stiffened. Henry was their father, that was what she had been told when she had woken up from her six months coma. She had made sure that Noel and Neal knew who their father was, shown them pictures of Henry that had been shown to her.She took in a deep breath. “Then who? If Henry isn’t your father, who are you talking about?” She asked him in an uncertain voice. Neal couldn’t possibly be seeing or imagining things, right?Neal’s eyes brightened as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. It’s
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-05Mistaken Identity 23.
Avery’s POVAvery stared at the door for a long second, her heart pounding as the doornell rang.She wasn’t ready for this at all. She wasn’t ready to even meet Asher, especially after the mess that had just happened with Neal. Yet, Asher was there, outside her door. He had arrived in less than ten minutes, like he had already been on his way before he even called. That was the only explanation as to why it took him less than twenty minutes to show up. At least with twenty minutes, she had time to think, but now…The doorbell rang again, pulling her from her thoughts. She couldn’t keep him waiting outside. She had a feeling that Asher was the kind of man who broke down doors to enter a place where he was restricted from entering.Avery exhaled sharply, smoothing down her blouse before she took a step further and pulled the door open.And there he was. Asher Storm.In all his glory, standing on her doorstep, tall, composed, and an unreadable expression on his face. She had thought he
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-06Mistaken Identity 24.
Avery's POVThe room was too quiet, filled only with the sound of Neal’s steady breathing against Asher’s chest. Her son's face looked peaceful, satisfied; he was content being in Asher's arm.Was this Neal's silent cry for a father? He had not mentioned it before, nor had it bothered them. Why now? Why had he decided to choose Asher to take that place. why not Julian.Avery felt like she was watching something she wasn’t meant to see; something private, something unspoken. This was the bond that should exist between a father and his son, and it hurt her that Neal and Noel had never experienced this kind of love before.She was tempted to pull them apart, but her heart screamed at her to let them be. Let Neal experience this at least once in his life. Let him feel the warmth of being in his father's arms; though in reality, Asher was not his father.Asher hadn’t moved, but his grip on Neal had shifted. It was no longer hesitant, no longer uncertain. It was protective. It was as if he
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-07Mistaken Identity 25.
Avery's POV Avery was still thinking about Asher’s request as she buckled the boys’ seatbelts in the back seat of the car. She had told him that she would think about it and that she needed more time.She had felt overwhelmed with Asher's presence the previous day, that it still lingered in her mind. The way he looked at her when the boys were not looking or talking to him. The way he had circled his arms around her to assist her get something at the top cabinet.Avery sighed, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts. She was in her sons school and this was not the right place or time to be thinking about such thing.The warm afternoon sun filtered through the windshield, casting soft shadows across the dashboard. She would have to drive with that sun reflecting on her face. At least,she had not forgotten to carry her sunshades when leaving the house.A gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant chatter of children still lingering near the school gates.
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-08Mistaken Identity 26.
Avery's POVAvery was getting tired of arguing or correcting her sons. It was as if the more she emphasized on the fact that Asher was not their father, the more they sounded it in her ears. She turned in her seat, blinking at Neal, trying to make sense of what she had just heard."Asher said that?" she asked slowly.Neal grinned, nodding. "Yup!" He said cheerfully.Avery sighed, shaking her head. She had no doubt Asher had only said that because Neal had backed him into a corner with his relentless insistence. With the way they were making requests and asking Asher to promise them this or that, she knew that he must have agreed to please them. But still… hearing those words aloud made something shift in her chest.Avery sighed. "Asher probably just said that to make you happy," she said, choosing her words carefully. She didn't want to burst their hopes and at the same time, she wanted them to face reality."But he meant it!" Neal argued. Avery bit the inside of her cheek, inhaling
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-09Mistaken Identity 27.
Avery’s POVShe exhaled slowly, shifting her gaze back to Neal’s teacher, Mrs. Peterson, who was watching her with a mix of curiosity and concern. Avery didn’t like to be placed under the spot, especially over something as sensitive as this.Ms. Peterson cleared her throat. “I just thought you should see it. I noticed that Neal was very focused while painting this,” she said gently. “Neal spoke about him so fondly while he painted. And when I asked him about it, he was quite insistent that this is his family now. That’s why I wanted to bring it to your attention.”Avery’s heart clenched. Neal was always so open and trusting when he likes someone. He’s also very quick to claim people as his own once they have broken through his mental walls.She should have seen this coming. That it was no longer going to be a secret at home, but he was now proudly telling people about Asher. She shuddered to think what what would happen if the Wellesley family found out. This was deep.“I appreciate
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-10Mistaken Identity 28.
Avery's POVAvery shut the door and put the car into start. She would have a long conversation with the boys at home first, because this was becoming too much.She noticed someone staring at her from behind and turned to see Neal, his big blue eyes wide with curiosity. He was almost out of his seat if not for the seat belt holding him back in place. “Mom? What did Ms. Peterson want?” he asked her.Avery forced a smile. There was no use in getting mad at him over this. She would focus on his performance instead. “She just wanted to show me your painting.” she replied.Neal grinned. “Did you like it?” he asked in a proud voice.She glanced at him in the rearview mirror. Of course the painting was beautiful. It was something to be proud of. “It’s beautiful, sweetheart.” she told him, instead of focusing on the fact that he included Asher in the painting.“Did you see Asher?” Noel piped up. “I made sure Neal got his hair right!”Avery chuckled despite herself. She was actually surprised
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-11Mistaken Identity 29.
Avery’s POVThe moment she stepped out of the elevator, a warm voice greeted her, as if they had been expecting her.“Avery.”She turned to see Rosa, her grandfather’s long-time secretary, smiling at her. The older woman was in her mid-sixties now, with kind eyes and graying brown hair pulled into a neat chignon. She had been working for grandfather for as long as Avery could remember, even before the boys were born.“Rosa.” Avery smiled, this time genuine. She misses the woman. Rosa was one of the few persons who visited her at the hospital after she woke up from the coma.The woman had kept her company more times than she could count and Avery would always be grateful of Rosa supporting her and defending her in front of her sisters in-law.The woman pulled her into a brief hug. “It’s been too long.” She whispered close to Avery’s ear.“Yeah, well… life,” Avery said, shrugging. Over the years, her relationship with Rosa had declined, especially after she had left the states. But now
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12
Pinakabagong kabanata
Mistaken Identity 69.
Avery's POVThe coffee was warm in her hands, but Avery barely noticed the heat as she stared out the large window of the cafe. She checked her phone for the umpteenth time that afternoon.She didn't know why it was taking too long for Asher to respond to her missed call and she was nervous. That was why she had decided against eating something. She was worried and didn't think anything could go down her throat without coming back up.The afternoon sun bathed the park across the street in a soft glow, casting long shadows from the benches and trees. Neal stood just outside the glass, licking the edge of a large swirl of strawberry ice cream and swinging his legs lazily from the edge of a bench.It wasn't his favorite as she had promised, but it was a flavor that they had to settle for, seeing that only the mall sold the mixed flavor that was his favorite, which surprisingly was also Asher's favorite.Avery smiled faintly, sipping her cappuccino again. The peaceful moment was rare, and
Mistaken Identity 68.
Avery's POVKelvin was leaning slightly, one hand still braced against the top of the car, the other raised in a casual wave, as if this were an everyday occurrence and not completely bizarre. His expression was unreadable, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips.Avery blinked. She remembered Kelvin and had been meaning to call him back since that day they met at the mall, but she wanted to do that after Asher had gotten back the DNA test results.She was not going to go behind his back to contact Kelvin, even though he looked and sounded like he was quite sure that she was Raina, his former girlfriend.For a moment, she just stared, unsure what to do. She took a quick glance at the rear mirror and Neal noticed her tension and followed her gaze, outside.No, no. This wasn't how she wanted this to turn out. Of course Kelvin was not aware that she had kids and she didn't know how she felt about him knowing or being near Neal.“Who’s that?” Neal asked, his tone suspici
Mistaken Identity 67
Avery's POVAvery sighed for what felt like the hundredth time, her thumb tapping the screen of her phone as she tried Asher’s number again. Still nothing. The call didn’t even ring. Just a cold, flat “call failed” that flashed on her screen like a stubborn slap to her patience.He had promised to be there with her, and she was nervous as hell. Though she knew he was busy and it wasn't yet time to meet with the realtor, she had watched the news that was going viral. She just wanted his voice to assure her that all was okay and he was going to be there. He had been with her from the onset of her business plan, and she hated to admit it, but didn't feel like she could do this without Asher.She sighed. Maybe she was leaning in too much on him. Or he was already getting tired of them. She stared down at the phone on her hand and dropped it. There was still time, no need to overthink a situation. He had promised, and he would be there.She leaned back against the driver’s seat, exhaling
Mistaken Identity 66
Asher's POVAsher looked up, first at Callahan, then at Anderson. Was this why Laurel had disappeared without a trace in the past? Why she had hidden herself from the world? What if this person had been looking for her too, like he had." Shit!" He cursed internally.“We’ve been tracking this individual for a while now,” Callahan explained. “He’s been in the area where Laurel was last seen, and we believe he’s tied to her disappearance in some way. We’re still working on the connections, but we know for sure that he’s interested in finding her—and he’s not alone.”Asher’s heart pounded as he examined the pictures. The man in the photographs didn’t look familiar to him, but the cold look in his eyes sent a shiver down his spine. Whoever he was, he had been watching Laurel. And now, with a child involved, things were taking an even darker turn.He couldn't even begin to imagine what Laurel had to go through to get to this point. Why was someone else looking for her? This was all too com
Mistaken Identity 65
Asher's POVAsher followed Callahan down the dimly lit hallway, his steps echoing in the empty space. This was the first time in all the seven years that they've been on the case, that he was coming to this part of the station.He wanted to ask Callahan where they were going. It wasn't that he didn't feel safe in the police headquarters; scratch that, Asher didn't feel safe, and the more they walked, the more mysterious everything felt.The sound of a phone ringing in one of the offices was the only noise breaking the silence. At least someone was around if detective Callahan wanted to try anything funny. In a case like this, one could only trust this much. He really didn't know why he had been called and until Callahan made it known, he wasn't going to loosen his guard.As they reached the last door, Callahan opened it, ushering Asher inside. Asher gave him a brief gaze to which Callahan nodded, before Asher walked into the room.The room was small, utilitarian, with just a few chai
Mistaken Identity 64.
Asher's POVAsher stepped out of the press room, his mind still buzzing with the energy of the announcement. It had taken every will power and self control he had not to fist bump every reporter in there with a 'Yes I fucking made it' shout.The weight of the merger and acquisition was beginning to sink in though and it took an enormous amount of effort not to crumble in it. His company had successfully secured one of the most significant financial moves in recent history. He was finally where he’d aimed to be: on top.Hamilton and co. Had been in the eyes of major investors companies, not because it was doing good or they had more money, but because it had the potential to grow under the right leadership and a huge amount of resources.He was willing to invest and sit back to reap the dividend. He smiled, turning to Julian. "Grandma wants to see us both this evening…" he muttered.Julian stopped in his steps and sighed. " Not possible, Ash. I have a flight back to catch thos evening…
Mistaken Identity 63.
Asher's POV Asher’s gaze lingered on the door for a moment, but then Julian, who had been silently observing the proceedings, gave him a small nod. “Well done,” Julian said quietly, breaking the silence.Asher didn’t respond immediately. If he did, he might get emotional. He knew that part of the reason why the deal had pulled through was because of Julian. Though he was not going to tell the man that.His focus shifted to the documents on the table in front of him—the contract that had irrevocably altered the course of both companies. The deal had been as complicated as it had been fragile, but they’d done it. Storm Capitals had acquired Hamilton & Co., and now the future of both companies would be shaped by their decisions.Asher turned to Julian, his voice low but full of satisfaction. “It’s done. This is a big win.” he muttered.Julian smiled, his eyes gleaming with approval. “It is, but there’s still work to be done. The real challenge starts now, you know that. I can't imagine
Mistaken Identity 62.
Asher’s POVThe next few days passed in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and endless paperwork. Asher barely had time to sleep, let alone think. The only time he wasn’t thinking about the deal was when he was with Avery and the boys.It was always a fresh moment for him, where he got to be free of the thinking or the responsibility on his shoulders. His relationship with Avery was also progressing at a fast rate that if care was not taken, he would ask her to marry him.They both had a lot going on in their lives now that it was only wise for him to wait. She was currently planning for her new business which he was helping her to plan too. Though they did more of kissing and cuddling than talking.Neal was like his golden retriever now, while Noel was this constant presence that never left his side whenever he was with them. Noel asked him more about work than any kid had ever done and it warmed his heart that he could talk smart business with the kid.He enjoyed every moment with the
Mistaken Identity 61.
Asher's POVGregory leaned back in his chair, staring at the documents in front of him. Asher could see the wheels turning in his mind, the struggle between loyalty and survival. This wasn’t just about money for Gregory—it was about pride. And pride, as Asher knew all too well, was something that could both protect and destroy. Would he be willing to submit under Asher's leadership as president of the company even though he remained as CEO.Not many CEOs would want that, but at the same time, Asher was also offering to keep his staff body instead of replacing them with his own. Hell, the merger and acquisition team already had job offers for the various positions and were only waiting for the deal to be finalized.For several long moments, the room was silent. He had thought that Gregory would jump immediately at the offer, but apparently, the man had not. Then Gregory’s voice broke through the quiet.“What’s the catch?” he asked, his gaze now steely.Catch? Asher understood why Hami
