**A cold shiver ran down his spine. His blood boiled in anger. It was hard to believe what his father said. Years ago, when he asked what happened to his aunt, the elders told him that she left the gas on and got burnt.The male workers from the farm were able to save her just on time. She delivered Teresa on her way to the hospital and kicked the iron bucket.It was a very difficult moment for the family. Luciano remembered clearly who called him to deliver the news…it was grandmother.He left the mysterious woman on that one-night stand and traveled back to the city where they were.“Now, do you still want to associate with such a family?” grandmother asked with her left brow raised. She knew that they got him on this one.“They made Teresa motherless”, Roberto added.Luciano wondered if this was the truth, or they were trying to buy time for themselves. “I don’t believe you” his hand tightened as he held his jacket. “Back then, you told me that she died from carelessness. How do y
Grandmother was hesitant, but she realized that they were not going to make her part of their conversation. She had to leave.Don Julio called the boys and asked them to sit down. Calling for meetings when someone committed a wrong was not his way of handling issues but his mother’s.“Why did you send the rest away?” Luciano asked. He was not going to change his mind about Isabella if this was one of his dad’s techniques, then he had already failed before it started.“Because this is my way of handling issues. By the way, you just told me that you are adults”. Don Julio picked a bottle of vodka from the bar and walked to where the boys sat. “We will discuss like men. Hopefully, you will act like men and not like children afterward.”He brought three glasses and handed each to the boys.“Thank you, uncle. I don’t really understand why I’m being called”. Paul Reyes stretched his hand for the drink.Don Julio poured the vodka into their glasses. He sat on one of the sofas and crossed his
Isabella managed to calm her mom down. She was sleeping in her room after taking a sedative.Manuela’s lie about dating Luciano helped the situation. However, she wished she could have told the truth.“How long will we keep lying?” Isabella asked, with tears in her eyes as she left her mother’s room.“Do you want to tell the truth? Did you see your mom’s condition?” Manuela spoke in a low tone. The doctor had already told them that Mrs. Jimenez's blood pressure was high…too high. The last time she got a heart attack. If they had told her the truth, this wouldn’t have ended well.“She will call my dad home when she finds out the truth” Isabella said, with her arms crossed in front of her chest.Her parents were still married to one another, and even the love was one-sided.“I don’t think she will do that” Manuela shrugged. Don Jimenez was trouble. No one wanted him back in town. “She is not stupid to do that.”Isabella laughed as though she was forced to say “You don’t understand. My mo
**Isabella arrived at the venue Luciano sent to her. She stood in front of the penthouse and wondered if she got to the right location.It was at the outskirts of the town. She took such a risk to come and meet him. There was a killer in roaming around in town taking advantage of women before butchering them.She would have thought twice before coming out. Luciano did not call her. He sent only texts…what if he was not the one?What if someone was impersonating him?A cold shiver ran down her spine as she took a good look at the environment.Everywhere was quiet. Since it was at the outskirts of the town, only a few houses could be found.The very one she was asked to meet Luciano was position far away from the others.She waited patiently after texting Luciano she was there.Meanwhile, Dora saw Isabella at the junction, closed to the Jimenez' mansion. She recognized her car because she had always wanted it for herself.Unfortunately, she was not born into luxury like Isabella. Daugh
Warning: Mature content.**The door closed behind them. Isabella tightened her grip around his neck, confident that his strong arms wouldn't let her fall. The inside of the penthouse was even more beautiful than the outside.The living room featured a three-seater sofa, a television, and a center table. In one corner, several pieces of artwork were displayed. The paintings were turned upside down, making it difficult to discern what the artist had depicted.“You thought our parents could separate us?” Luciano asked in a low but seductive tone. His voice tickled every part of her body .Isabella lacked the words. A few minutes ago, she thought he was going to dump her only to discover that he did not mean it. It was like a spear was driven into her heart and the next minute, he took it out saying it was just a test.“You sounded like you were going to give into their demand,” she smiled as he climbed the stairs.His hot green eyes were fixed on her. She wished she could read his mind
**Dora did not turn back. She wished the ground would open and swallow her. From the news she heard, the killer abused his victims before butchering them. At first, he started killing only couples.This week, he killed about three young girls. It means he had no motive. He was just a lunatic moving about causing the death of innocent ones.“Are you lost?” the voice asked. It was not familiar. She turned around and met a handsome fellow.He wasn’t as handsome as Luciano, but she could give him some credit.He had a striking resemblance to Mr. Julio Reyes, yet she could picture who he was.“Who are you?” Dora stepped back. She knew she was safe…at least, he was a Reyes and not the murderer.But what if he was? Being a Reyes does not prevent him from being a killer. Cold shivers ran through her spine.“You should answer me first. I will ask again, Who are you?” she was afraid of the handsome man.“I asked first, and I think I deserve to know who you are” he smiled.“It's none of your co
**Chapter 54.It was cold down there. His wet lips against her opening…Isabella's nipples hardened. She never thought she was going to experience something like this again. If cobwebs could grow on the body, it would have grown in between her legs. Within these few years, she had forgotten everything that makes her happy and this excited. This was because of the men who hurt her in the past.But what is it right? She wasted years, suffering while they were out there, enjoying with women of their dreams.“Ouch,” she moaned when his tongue kept on working. He was a genius.After some minutes of making her go nuts, he came up and kissed her. he smiled and asked “do you enjoy?”“Yes, love” she replied kissing him again and again. He touched her the opening between her thighs and rubbed softly. Isabella wanted him to go right in. Her body has sent many invitation to him yet he was hesitant. Maybe she had to do it herself.“If you want me to go faster, you can still tell me," He said, loo
Chapter 54.“Who are you calling?” Paul Reyes asked all of a sudden. He wanted to leave the girl he found on the streets, but conscience would not let him do it. If Isabella finds out that he left her friend outside while there was a killer roaming town.Dora almost died from a heart attack. Her heart was beating loudly when she found who it was. She thought he had already gone into the house “I don’t think it is your business anymore, Mr. Reyes.”He was surprised. Paul wondered if her ego was a sign of stupidity or foolishness. He would have helped her for the first time, but she had a sharp tongue. “Young woman, you are trespassing. Do you understand the implications of this or should I call the police?”Dora sighed. She had to deal with this human being before she could continue with her call. She put her phone back in the pocket of her jeans and asked “I thought you said that was your property?” she pointed at the penthouse.“Yes, this one…” Paul moved his hands around and said “t
Chapter 75.“Mother, you tricked my son” Isabella reminded her mom when she got downstairs. By now, Juan had already finished two slices of pizza. His grandmother poured juice into a glass and gave it to him.“I didn’t, your son fell for my pizza,” Mrs. Jimenez told her. She ran her hand through his hair and kissed him. “You will always be my favorite.”'Not after you find out he is a Marquez', Isabella muttered to herself. She was already dressed. Manulita had a few calls to make upstairs. As for Juan, he gave her the double work. She had to change his outfit.“Juan, come here,” Isabella called and when he came, she whispered “your daddy is waiting. Can we go and change your clothes?”“Yeah,” Juan jumped. However, he did not drop the piece of pizza in his hand. He bit it and rushed to where his grandma was and handed it over to her. He ran back to his mom and they went upstairs.Quickly, she changed his clothes and they headed out.The driver was asked to stay behind. Isabella did no
Chapter 64.She still wore her night dress. Her eyes barely opened as she asked the question. Her face looked more like it had received several slaps while asleep. “Who is Juan's father? She asked again.Isabella froze. Her lips parted, but no word came out. For a second, she thought her heart would come out through her mouth. It was beating faster than a drum. She felt her pulse quicken. If it dared to stop, it would be the end of her.Over the years, she managed to hide the truth from Mrs. Jimenez and everyone in Santa Marta. It was going to be hell for her and Juan if the truth came out. How will she face her mom? Will the poor woman be able to bear the news? What if she gets another heart attack after knowing the truth?“Eh… We were talking about Rodriguez, aunt” Manuela lied. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Her palms were also sweaty. She shivered at the thought of Mrs. Jimenez found out the truth. The old woman may never forgive her daughter for it.“Rodriguez?” Mrs Ji
After dinner, Isabella took Juan to his room. It was a small room filled with the wallpaper of captain man. He also drew his dreamed family. He always wanted a dad to be presented in his life, and she knew the boy was right. He deserves a father.“Mom, where you scared today?” Juan asked as they sat on the bed beside each other. His mom looked at him with tears in her eyes. She had no idea what to say to him.“I-I was scared at some point. But your mom is strong. Do you know that?” Isabella said, fighting the tears.“Well… I got scared too, mom” he told her. “Grandma said it’s okay. Everyone gets scared at some point in life, and it doesn’t matter. We are all fine now.”Isabella was speechless. She didn’t know when the hot tears rolled down her cheeks. Her boy has grown so big with a good sense as well. She knew exactly what he was trying to do. He wanted to make her feel better just the way his godmother, Manuela, would do.Juan saw the tears rolling down his mom’s cheeks. He wondere
Luciano arrived just in time for Paul's funeral, his heart heavy with grief but filled with determination to honor his cousin, his brother, in the best way he could.The sun was hidden behind clouds, casting a grey light over the crowd gathered at the cemetery. The entire town had come to pay their respects. Friends and family, dressed in black, stood together, whispering condolences and recalling fond memories of Paul.Even friends from abroad had flown in, further testament to how much Paul had meant to so many people.Luciano looked around at the faces of the people, some who had known Paul since childhood, others who had only crossed paths with him later in life.They all shared the same somber expression, united by the loss of a man they admired and loved. The air was thick with sorrow, but there was also a quiet reverence, a collective determination to honor Paul in the way he deserved.The ceremony was simple but heartfelt. A local priest led a brief prayer, offering words of co
The air was thick with tension as Luciano drove away from the villa, leaving the preparations for Paul’s funeral behind.The road ahead blurred in his vision, but his mind was clear. Today was the day of Paul’s funeral, a painful farewell to the cousin who had been like a brother to him.But there was one more matter that needed to be settled before he could say goodbye properly. He was heading to the prison yard, where Rodriguez was awaiting execution. The day of reckoning had arrived.Luciano gripped the steering wheel tighter as he approached the prison gates. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting long shadows across the barren landscape.He could feel the weight of what was about to happen, but there was a sense of grim satisfaction in knowing that justice would finally be served.Rodriguez’s death would never bring Paul back, but it would close a chapter that had been filled with betrayal and pain.As the guards escorted him through the sterile halls of the prison, Luciano k
*****The afternoon sun poured softly through the windows as Manuela, Isabella, and Luciano sat around the dining table, their faces marked by a quiet sadness.The house felt different since Paul’s passing, quieter, as if even the walls were mourning his absence.The weight of his death still hung heavy in the air, but today they needed to focus on something else—Paul’s upcoming funeral.“We have to make it special,” Manuela said, her voice barely above a whisper. She had been crying on and off for days, her heart still breaking at the thought of losing Paul so suddenly. “He deserves the best, after everything.”Luciano sat silently for a moment, staring down at his hands. It was still hard for him to think about Paul without feeling a sharp pain in his chest. His cousin had been more than family; he had been a brother, a friend, and a source of strength. “He does,” Luciano finally agreed, his voice thick with emotion. “I want his funeral to reflect how much he meant to all of us. He w
**Two weeks had passed since the accident, and Juan was finally ready to leave the hospital. The doctors had been impressed by his recovery, considering how serious the injuries had been.Now, the hospital room was filled with a sense of relief and anticipation. Isabella and Luciano sat by Juan’s bedside, the weight of everything that had happened slowly lifting, replaced by the joy of seeing their son healthy again.Juan, now more energetic, sat up in bed, swinging his legs back and forth as he played with a toy car Luciano had brought him the day before.His eyes darted between his parents, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. He was finally going home, and for the first time in his young life, he fully understood that Luciano was his father.The bond between them had grown stronger in the days since the truth came out. Juan, who had always been attached to Luciano, now clung to him even more.“Are we leaving soon?” Juan asked, his voice full of hope.Isabella smiled, gently str
Luciano sat in the dimly lit living room, his mind spinning as he tried to process the news.The revelation that Rodriguez had conspired to kill him, along with Dora, his so-called lover, was beyond anything he could have imagined.Manuela and Isabella sat nearby, equally shaken, as the weight of everything they had just learned hung heavily in the air.The silence between them was thick, filled with disbelief and the echo of unanswered questions.They had never once suspected Rodriguez or Dora of being capable of such malice. Rodriguez, yes—he was a volatile man, full of jealousy and bitterness—but Dora? Sweet, quiet Dora, who had always seemed so devoted to Luciano? It didn’t make sense.“I still can’t believe it,” Manuela whispered, her voice barely audible. “I never liked Rodriguez, but I didn’t think he would go this far.”Luciano’s face was tense, his brow furrowed in deep thought. He had been sitting in the same spot for hours, staring off into space, trying to make sense of eve
****The tense silence in the hospital waiting room was shattered when Rodriguez stormed in, his face twisted in anger.Dora trailed behind him, a smug look on her face as she watched the tension rise. He had just heard about the accident, and without bothering to gather all the facts, he immediately set his sights on Isabella."This is all your fault!" Rodriguez bellowed, pointing an accusing finger at her. "How could you be so careless, Isabella? You were supposed to take care of him, and now look what’s happened to my son!"Isabella's heart pounded in her chest as the words hit her. She had been struggling with guilt and worry ever since the accident, but hearing Rodriguez hurl those accusations at her in front of everyone felt like a slap in the face.Luciano, who had been sitting beside her, clenched his fists but said nothing. He knew better than to escalate the situation with Rodriguez, but his silent fury was evident.Isabella stood up, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger