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51.
Huling Na-update:
2025-04-03 00:12:55
Kaugnay na kabanata
Mistaken Identity 52.
Avery’s POV The supermarket was bustling with the usual late-afternoon rush. The sound of carts rolling over tiled floors mixed with the distant beeping of cash registers. Avery maneuvered her cart through the aisles, scanning the shelves absentmindedly. She had been planning this grocery run all week and was glad that she could finally do it.She had come in for a few things—milk, eggs, and fruit for the boys, along with a few other essentials. A simple, mundane errand that was taking longer than necessary.Perhaps nothing ever stayed mundane for long in her life. She checked her wrist watch and saw that she was already running late. The boys were currently with Asher at home, that was why she had even gotten the opportunity to shop.Usually, she wouldn't leave the boys at home and would drag them along for shopping. It would not only make shopping difficult, but more time consuming. She had released a sigh of relief when Asher showed up at her front door.He had offered to watch t
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-04Mistaken Identity 53.
Avery’s POVAvery's fingers trembled despite her efforts to stay composed. The picture felt like a foreign object in her hand, yet its weight anchored her to this bizarre moment. A moment where she was trapped between the past and the present. She didn't even know who she was anymore. In the past, before the accident, who had she been. Kelvin's girlfriend who disappeared or Henry's wife.The image from the photograph still danced before her eyes, blurring in and out of focus as if it were something from a dream—or a nightmare. There had to be a reason why she or her look alike, was in a picture with this man."I still think you're mistaken here…like I said earlier, I'm Avery Wellesley, not Raina whoever." she muttered in a shaky and unsure voice. Avery no longer knew what was true or false. Maybe she finally needed to have this conversation with Asher first. He had been the one who had called her Raina first.Kevin didn’t answer right away. Instead, he watched her with a mix of awe a
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-05Mistaken Identity 54.
Avery's POVAt the self-checkout, she scanned her items mechanically, her mind still stuck on Kevin and his claims. He had called her Raina. And she looked like Raina. Too much like her. That couldn’t be a coincidence, could it?But if she was Raina, then who was Avery? Was she really just a fabricated identity, a shell of someone else? She had to know. She had to understand what Kevin meant when he said that she had disappeared, and why she had no memory of him—or of any of it.She had amnesia but there were successful records of individuals with trauma from an accident, recovering after a while, especially if it was temporary amnesia as the doctor had told them. So why was it difficult for her to get her memories back.When the final item was scanned, Avery paid for the groceries quickly, almost impatiently, and grabbed the bags. The business card still burned in her pocket, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at it. She couldn’t make herself reach for it. Not yet. She was going
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-06Mistaken Identity 55.
Avery's POV Avery’s arms ached by the time she reached the top step of her porch. The grocery bags dug into her fingers, the weight making her wish she’d taken two trips instead of stubbornly stuffing everything into as few bags as possible. She was already regretting that decision.She was just about to try balancing the load on one arm, to reach for her keys when the door swung open. "Saved by the bell!" She muttered to herself.Asher stood there, tall and still, watching her with that unreadable look he wore far too often these days. He must have been waiting for her and had probably heard her car drive in.She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. He stepped forward and took the bags from her without a word, his fingers brushing hers for a second longer than necessary. The relief she felt when those loads left her arm was instant. She muttered a quiet thanks, grateful more for his timing than anything else. If he had not showed up, more than one of those grocery bags she was
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-07Mistaken Identity 56.
Avery's POV “Then what?” she asked, watching him. She didn't know why he was hesitating to speak.“You have this mole,” he said quietly. “On your shoulder. That night, while we…" Asher paused, looking at her.Avery had an idea what he was talking about. Asher and Raina had had an intimate night together, so it meant that they had slept together. Even though he had not told her of the specific, why or how they had ended up together, but she knew.He rubbed the back of his neck, flicking his gaze briefly towards the door. " Is it soundproof?" He asked her.Avery arched a brow. Regardless of how serious the conversation was, she found it funny that he was concerned about the boys hearing their conversation. It warmed her heart that he actually had concern for them. Not everyone would be that cautious in discussing sensitive things.She also found it funny that the kitchen door would be soundproof. Why the hell would any door be soundproof, Avery thought."If you're worried about the boy
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-08Mistaken Identity 57.
Asher's POVStorm Capitals conference room was designed for power meetings like this one—sleek, modern, with a long, polished table stretching out before them. The room was recently furnished and it was a coincidence that the meeting happened to be close.The walls, lined with dark wood and abstract art, seemed to absorb the tension that was rapidly building between the two teams that were currently facing each other.Asher sat off to the side, an observer, as he’d been told to be, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was a player in this game whether he wanted to be or not. Julian had actually wanted him to not be present in the room, but Asher couldn't help it. His options had been to sit in his office and watch a live feed of the meeting, but he wanted to see Serena's reactions throughout and he wanted her to see him to and know who she was really fighting.After hiring an external representative and negotiator, Julian, Asher's role in the merger between Storm Capitals and Ha
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-09Mistaken Identity 58.
Asher’s POV Serena didn’t flinch after hearing what Julian said. It meant that she knew of Wellesley's involvement in the company. “Wellesley is just one of the last investors. We needed more funds and he was willing to help us. Of course, he had his terms.” she said, her voice measured but carrying an edge. “His involvement was to keep the company afloat when it was at risk of going bankrupt. There’s nothing more to it than that.” she added, looking at Asher straight in the eyes instead of Julian.Asher scoffed at her and turned to Julian. Julian’s smile was sharp, almost predatory. “That’s where you’re wrong,” he said, his tone turning colder. He leaned forward slightly, placing his palms on the table as though he were about to reveal something explosive. “We both know it’s more complicated than that, Serena. Wellesley’s shareholding isn’t just for the sake of stability. You’ve been hiding the truth.” Julian told her.Serena’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t react. She was trying t
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-10Mistaken Identity 59.
Asher's POVAsher sat in silence for a moment, processing everything that had just unfolded. He hadn’t said a word during the entire exchange, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that the game had shifted in a way that he hadn’t anticipated. Of course they had made plans on the different measures to take if the deal went either North or south. But neither him not Julian would have expected Serena to not be fully aware of the inner dealings of Wellesley, especially if she was representing Hamilton and co.Serena was rattled, and Julian had just set the stakes higher than anyone had expected. He glanced at Serena as she gathered her things, her face unreadable. But the tension was there, unmistakable. She was about to face one of the toughest decisions of her career, and Asher couldn’t help but wonder how it would all play out.But one thing was for certain—he would be watching every step of the way.Serena and her team members left the conference room, her heels clicking sharply agains
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-11
Pinakabagong kabanata
Mistaken Identity 79.
Avery’s POVShe sniffled, pressing her forehead to his chest. She was calming down, that was good. Maybe, somewhere within her heart, she had assumed that she was someone else.Silence fell between them again, thick and heavy.“I don’t understand,” she whispered after a while. “Why would he do this? Why would he take away my identity?”Asher knew who Avery was referring to. He didn’t have the answers to those questions, only Wellesley knew why he had done what he had done.“I don’t know,” Asher said, brushing her hair back. “But I promise you, we’ll find out. I’ll help you, Avery—Raina—we’ll get to the bottom of it.”She looked up at him, eyes red and puffy. “But who even knows Raina Ross? How do I start? Where do I go from here?” she muttered.Asher hesitated. She was already spiraling. But she needed a way forward, a next step. He should have thought of that when he had seen the results. She wasn’t one to dwell on something without looking for a solution to move forward.Finally, sh
Mistaken Identity 79.
Asher’s POVAsher’s tires rolled quietly onto the driveway, the rhythmic ticking of the cooling engine echoing in the still afternoon air. The white envelope rested on the passenger seat like a loaded weapon, its contents heavier than paper and ink. He didn’t reach for it immediately. Instead, The second he pulled into the driveway, he grabbed his phone and called Nolan. He wasn’t sure how the conversation with Avery would go, but one thing he didn’t want to do, was get back into the car or let her get behind the driving steering to go pick the boys up from school.The line picked up after the first ring.“Asher?” Nolan answered. The concern in his voice was very clear. “ How did it go?” He asked.Nolan already knew why Asher had gone to the hospital. He had been the one who had recommended Dr. Meyers to Asher for a confidential DNA test.“As fine as it can be expected… it’s just a confirmation of what I already knew.” He answered. That should be enough to give Nolan a clue about wha
Mistaken Identity 78.
Asher’s POVAsher stormed through the hospital lobby, ignoring the curious looks thrown his way. His shoes hit the polished floor with deliberate, clipped steps. His wasn't necessarily an outright emergency, but he would be damned if he should drag his feet to the doctor's office. He just had to do this and get it done with.The elevators were too slow for his liking, so he opted for the stairs, taking them two at a time until he reached the third floor where Dr. Meyers’ office was located. It also helped with his cardio exercises, since he couldn't recall the last time he had visited the gym.He's been too busy lately that he had been pushing going to the gym. His body already was worked up even without being in the gym, with all his busy schedules.The moment he stepped into the quiet, sterile hallway, the door at the end opened as if they had been waiting for him, and Dr. Meyers himself appeared, clipboard in hand.“Mr. Storm,” the doctor said, offering a tight, professional smile
Mistaken Identity 77.
Asher’s POVAsher leaned back in his chair, hands steepled thoughtfully in front of him as he listened to the man across the desk pitch yet another real estate development proposal. Ever since investors and other business minded people heard about Storm Capitals looking into construction of apartments buildings, they've been swarming his office. Within the space of two weeks, Asher had received more proposals than he could count. Some of the proposals were sent through email, some were hardcopies. He didn't know why they thought he would need one to build apartment buildings.He sighed for the umpteenth time, flipping to the next page of the proposal. It was not as if he knew what he was reading. Hell, he wasn't reading it, he was just trying to make sure that the man in front of him saw him going through it, so he doesn't get accused of favoring someone else's proposal.His office was bathed in the soft afternoon light pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him, castin
Mistaken Identity 76.
Asher’s POVAsher recoiled at the idea of drinking tea with his grandmother. He didn’t drink tea, coffee was better, but there was no way he would find coffee in the Storm mansion. His family was an advocate for tea. It was understandable, since they had a tea making company.He settled beside her on the plush loveseat while Wilson poured the tea, leaving shortly after to give them privacy.His grandmother watched him for a long moment, studying his face. “You’ve been running from home.” She said, looking away.Asher blinked. It hadn’t even been up to a month that he last visited. “I’ve been busy—” he muttered, knowing that she was aware of the deal Storm Capitals had been fighting for these past few weeks.“No. Not from this house. From your roots.” Her tone was soft, but firm. “From yourself.”He looked away for a moment, then back at her. “I haven’t been running. I’ve just… needed space.” He replied. He knew what she was referring to and didn’t want to get to it.Someone had to tak
Mistaken Identity 75.
Asher’s POVThe next morning, the sky was overcast, casting a dull silver light over the city. Avery and the kids were already settling in at his place, and he had the intention of staying with them for the day, but something urgent came up.Asher drove in silence, one hand on the wheel, the other tapping rhythmically against his thigh. Nolan was sitting beside him, but he had his earpods on, which meant that he wasn't ready to talk and was working.He wasn’t sure what this visit would bring, only that he owed it. He should have been doing this with Julian, but the guy checked out, leaving him on his own to see his grandmother. His grandmother had asked to see him; them—and when she asked, you didn’t keep her waiting.The long driveway leading to the house felt familiar, even after all these years. The sprawling estate hadn’t changed much. Neatly trimmed hedges lined the path, and the familiar rose bushes clustered in bursts of white and pink just beside the grand entrance. As his ca
Mistaken Identity 74.
Asher’s POVAsher nodded. “I’ll come with you.” He said.They walked down the hall together and found Neal and Noel sitting on the edge of Neal’s bed, both boys looking up as the door creaked open.“Is he gone?” Neal asked immediately they entered the room.“Yes,” Avery said, stepping into the room. “He won’t be back.”Noel slid off the bed and padded over to Asher, hugging his legs tightly. Asher picked him up without hesitation, holding him close.“Are you mad?” Neal asked quietly. “At us?”Avery knelt in front of him immediately. “No. Never. This isn’t your fault, baby.”Neal’s eyes dropped. “I just heard yelling. I didn’t know if we did something…” he mumbled.It broke Asher’s heart to hear Neal think that what had happened was their fault.“You didn’t,” Asher said firmly, sitting beside him. “That man… he was wrong to come here. He upset your mom. But none of this is on you.”Neal nodded slowly, chewing his bottom lip.“Hey,” Asher said gently, reaching out to tap Neal chest. “Yo
Mistaken Identity 73.
Asher’s POV Asher’s mind reeled, his blood pulsing hot in his veins. What kind of twisted, manipulative evil was this? What grandfather stood in a woman’s living room and threatened to rip her children away like that—as if she were some pawn in his game? As if Neal and Noel weren’t living, breathing children with a mother who had sacrificed everything for them?What kind of man even said that?Asher moved suddenly, too fast to think. The room blurred around him, all his restraint cracking under the weight of fury.But before he could get to Wellesley, Avery stepped between them. Her hand pressed firmly against his chest, holding him back.He stared down at her, wild with disbelief—her touch grounding him when everything inside him screamed to act.He didn’t know exactly what he would have done if he’d gotten to where Wellesley stood—but one thing was certain:The man wouldn’t still be standing.Avery’s face went pale, but her chin lifted in defiance as she stared at Wellesley. “You t
Mistaken Identity 72.
Asher’s POVThe old man was still in his three piece suit, which meant that he had come there from work. It must have been urgent if he was showing up in Avery’s house. From what he knew, Wellesley had never been to Avery’s place before.Wellesley stood up from the couch as they entered. “So it’s true. You two are… whatever this is.” He said, waving his hand in the air in front of them.His voice dripped with disdain, his eyes settling briefly—and coldly—on Noel in Asher’s arms. It must have pissed him more than he was showing that another man was carrying his grandson if the way he clenched his fist was anything to go by.Asher’s eyes however remained locked on the man in front of him—Mr. Wellesley. Avery’s father-in-law. The same man she had called “Grandfather” out of respect and tradition, now standing uninvited in her home like he still had any right to be there.After all the shit the old man had pulled, he should be ashamed to be in front of Asher, hell, even Avery. Of course W
