Months later... As the days unfolded amidst the ancient branches of towering trees, a soft breeze caressed the leaves, weaving a delicate melody that echoed the whispers of times past. The relentless march of time had etched its mark upon the weathered gravestones, standing as solemn guardians adorned with the names of those who once thrived with vitality. Some graves bloomed with freshly placed flowers, while others surrendered to the embrace of moss and roots, each telling a tale that had reached their poignant conclusion. Erin tenderly laid a bouquet of pristine white roses before the gravestone of someone she once knew as Orion's wise and strong brother, Daryl. It marked the anniversary of his passing. Having become a part of the Arvesso family through her recent marriage to Orion, Erin joined them in visiting Daryl's resting place. As she fixed her gaze upon the inscription of his name and the date of his death, a pang of guilt coiled around her heart, unseen but deeply f
Erin tossed all her belongings into her room, breaking and smashing them. Exhausted, she quietly wept in a corner. Her body shook with profound disappointment upon discovering that the man she had loved for years had toyed with her emotions. He had only granted her a few months of solace before delivering the final blow of punishment. The accusations from people, pointing fingers at her for a sin she didn't commit, persisted. She had borne the weight of guilt since high school, which continued without relief. When would she ever find her justice? She sobbed as her lips trembled. "Erin!" Orion's voice echoed as he pounded on the penthouse door. She had already changed the security code, preventing him from entering. "Erin! Hear me out. Please… Erin!" His voice quivers audibly from the other end. But her emotions are weary. Her chest felt drained. It isn't easy to love someone who doesn't love you back. Erin raised the phone to call security and remove the man from ou
Erin steered her car towards the Yurich Group office. Since her father's passing, it felt as though she were on autopilot, routinely making her way to the office. Her father held the majority of shares, rendering the board powerless in the face of her presence, despite enduring unpleasant remarks from them on numerous occasions. "What does the model do in our office?" "I like seeing her ass, though," were just a couple of the unsavory comments she overheard. Her Uncle Roger now serves as the current chairman, having won the vote for the position vacated by Mr. Lawrence. Erin allowed this to transpire due to her lack of knowledge about the business. However, this didn't mean she would passively await his decisions. Refusing to be excluded from the office dynamics, she joined the advertising team as a staff member. Her father's assistant coached her, ensuring she navigated the corporate landscape adeptly. Her manager consistently targeted her. It's plausible that this d
Erin revisited the reasons prompting her to seek assistance from the Arvesso family. Last month, her advertising manager, Mrs. Robles, extended an invitation to meet with Mr. Yu, the manager of a television station. "Erin, I'm bringing you along for the meeting with Mr. Yu." "Sure, Ma'am!" Having spent a year with the advertising team, Erin retained her position as a staff member. She refrained from complaining, recognizing that the Arvesso family currently held authority in the company on her behalf. At the same time, she remained merely Mr. Lawrence's stepdaughter. Accompanied by her manager, Erin entered a private club. In a room, they found Mr. Yu with two other staff members. "Good evening, Mr. Yu! I am with Erin Villaverde. She's the one we were talking about," her manager said, subtly lifting one corner of her lip. "She will be coordinating our project with you for the ads of the new whitening lotion produced by the company." The man ran his thick tongue o
Seven years ago… "Boo!" Erin squealed in surprise as Jenna startled her. Her heart pounded, and she accidentally dropped her phone. She was in the women's restroom, changing into a red uniform for the cheerleaders. "Seriously! You scared me!" She lightly slapped Jenna on the shoulder and then shook her head. Jenna's dad was Erin's stepfather's cousin, making them second cousins. Jenna became Erin's close friend since they had known each other since age ten. Jenna picked up the phone that had fallen to the floor, furrowing her brow as she examined the messages on the screen. Erin engaged in a text conversation with Orion, having obtained his number from his brother Daryl. "Your eyes captivate me like no other, a mesmerizing beauty that lights up my world. Every visit to your home fills my heart with joy," Jenna read the latest message. "Who is this? Is he a pervert?" she commented, rolling her eyes. The woman continued scrolling through the messages. "Sorry if I only texted now
Erin shivered with profound disappointment. No! This shouldn't be happening. She endured more than her share over the past year, not just a year but seven years of punishment. Now, witnessing Orion's eyes devoid of emotion feels like a rejection of her dignity. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she gathered the clothes she had discarded. She shouldn't let herself break completely. Erin had misunderstood Orion. It seemed he was cutting off what little sanity she had left. "I shouldn't have done this." She went to the bathroom and let out all her tears there. Sadness surged through her chest. Perhaps she carried some responsibility for the death of Orion's brother, Daryl, but did he realize that Daryl had also deceived her? After getting dressed, she found Orion waiting outside the bathroom. The man was adept at concealing his feelings; she detected no anger, pity, or disdain in his eyes. Erin wondered about his motive for waiting. She surpassed Orion's presence. "I hope you
Nothing will change if Erin sheds tears. She must take action. Unemployed for a month, she needed to seize any opportunity, no matter how small. When her phone rang, she organized her list of expenses in the penthouse on the center table.Her friend Zacharia Lopez's name lit up the screen. "Hey, Zach!""I just arrived from Singapore. I went to your office to surprise you with gifts but was shocked to hear you're no longer there. Where are you? Who's the owner that got ousted from his own company?" Erin couldn't hold back her tears upon hearing her friend's voice. She needed someone to reassure her that everything would be okay—an ally. They first met during their modeling days, and their bond strengthened as she often encountered disturbing situations involving other female models. After what happened with Jenna, she found it hard to trust women. Zach was currently the only friend she relied on. "Erin..." concern resonated in Zach's voice. "They... They kicked me out. A lot has ha
Yurich Group. Merely a month ago, Erin was ousted by her manager and Uncle Roger from the office. However, today, she stood alongside Orion and Mr. Arvesso's assistant, Jorge, ready to make a bold return. Orion, pledging to assist her in securing the highest position within the Yurich company, had convinced her to take this audacious step—a decision aligned with her strategic move to marry him. "I'll inform you of my payment when the time comes. One thing is certain—I do not need money. The Yurich Company remains yours," she recalls Orion asserting. Jorge is there as a representative of the Arvesso Family, and Orion is acting as Erin's bodyguard. Orion explained his plan to Erin, assuring her that he wouldn't mess with how the Yurich Company ran. He believed getting involved in office matters was pointless because Erin would be in charge in the future. To ensure that Erin wouldn't be bothered by Jenna or Uncle Roger and to maintain Orion's constant presence, he decided to assu
Months later... As the days unfolded amidst the ancient branches of towering trees, a soft breeze caressed the leaves, weaving a delicate melody that echoed the whispers of times past. The relentless march of time had etched its mark upon the weathered gravestones, standing as solemn guardians adorned with the names of those who once thrived with vitality. Some graves bloomed with freshly placed flowers, while others surrendered to the embrace of moss and roots, each telling a tale that had reached their poignant conclusion. Erin tenderly laid a bouquet of pristine white roses before the gravestone of someone she once knew as Orion's wise and strong brother, Daryl. It marked the anniversary of his passing. Having become a part of the Arvesso family through her recent marriage to Orion, Erin joined them in visiting Daryl's resting place. As she fixed her gaze upon the inscription of his name and the date of his death, a pang of guilt coiled around her heart, unseen but deeply f
Orion's waning interest in responding to Erin's question was palpable. "Well?" Erin asked once more, anticipation etched on her face. "Why did you agree to marry Tanya?" Orion's brow furrowed. "Do you believe I was romantically involved with Zach's sister?" "No." Initially, Erin had presumed there was a romantic connection between Orion and Tanya, conjecturing that their relationship had grown deeper, considering Tanya's pregnancy as evidence of such intimacy. However, the harsh reality of Tanya's miscarriage and Orion's subsequent public explanation unveiled the true nature of their bond with Erin. It dawned on her that what she had perceived as a serious relationship was, in fact, a casual affair. Orion recounted the events involving Mr. Niel Arvesso and Tanya, shedding light on what transpired in the hotel and the circumstances surrounding Tanya's pregnancy. "If that's the case, you knew from the beginning you weren't the father of the child she was carrying..." E
Erin's fingertips lightly brushed against Orion's cheek as they sat together in the car. Despite having a driver at their disposal, they paid him no attention, lost in each other's company. Orion monopolized her thoughts entirely. The disbelief lingered within Erin as though the day's events existed only in a dream. "Please, tell me this isn't a dream," Erin pleaded. In response, Orion silenced her with a tender kiss, his lips tracing a path down her neck. The driver's cheeks flushed crimson as he glanced at the rearview mirror. He wished he could vanish, overwhelmed by the palpable passion unfolding in the backseat. Their actions were simple yet intimate—kisses exchanged, sweet words whispered. Before long, they arrived back at Orion's residence, where Erin and Lacey were currently staying. Orion scooped Erin into his arms, carrying her inside. As they crossed the threshold, Erin's gaze fell upon a lone suitcase nestled by the doorway, a silent witness to Orion's hurried d
The movements, exchanges of conversation, and the beeping of various devices reverberated in Orion's ears like echoes from a dream. Erin's tears haunted his thoughts, her pleas for him not to let go echoing endlessly. Each time she cried, his heart sank deeper, consumed by worry. "Wake up, Orion… Wake up!" The urgent call seemed to emanate from everywhere—Erin's voice and even a faint whisper within his own mind. He needed to rise, to return to the woman he loved. It was as if an enchantment had ensnared his skin, holding him captive in its grasp, steadfast and unyielding. With deliberate slowness, he unfurled his eyelids, welcomed by the scene of Marco's fervent typing on his laptop. A lump materialized in his throat, accompanied by a cascade of numbness and anguish that inundated his entire being. The intensity of the pain threatened to elicit curses from his lips, but his voice emerged raspy and weak. "W-water..." he managed to croak. Marco's eyes widened, the color draining
As they sat together in the hospital lounge, Lily's tender touch wiped away Erin's tears. They both waited anxiously for any updates on Orion's condition, their shared concern palpable in the silent moments between them. The hospital restricted access to the intensive care unit to prevent overcrowding and minimize the risk of introducing infections. Visitors were required to wear gowns to prevent any potential transmission of bacteria to the patient. "Erin, you must continue to balance your responsibilities, both at work and with Lacey," Lily advised, offering her support. It had been a challenging month since Orion's hospitalization, and Erin struggled to juggle her obligations. Despite Lily's occasional return home to Bel-Air, Erin remained steadfast in her vigil by Orion's side in the city. "I know your heart is with Orion, but don't forget about Lacey," Lily reminded her gently. As Erin sank onto the couch, the weight of her exhaustion evident, she reflected on her sacrifices
"Orion! Orion! P-please, do your best to stay awake," Erin pleaded, trailing behind James' group of men carrying Orion. She feared that if he closed his eyes, it could be the last time she saw him. Orion's gaze appeared delirious, mirroring Erin inside his mind. He struggled to place his palm on her cheek, his efforts indicative of his weakening condition. James swiftly called for a helicopter to expedite their departure from the area where they had engaged Douglas Mikael's group. As they exited the building, Marco hurried towards Erin. "Erin!" he called out. "Marco!" She sobbed, embracing her friend tightly. "O-Orion..." Her voice faltered, unable to articulate her fears. "I understand. We must get him to the nearby city. I've informed the hospital and made the necessary arrangements. We cannot linger here in Acapulco," Marco assured her. Minutes later, assistance arrived. Erin followed silently, tears streaming down her face as she held Orion's hand, her prayers unspoken. A me
Five years ago, Erin and Orion engaged in meaningful agreement when Orion served as her bodyguard. During that time, he provided her with a number to call in case of trouble, a number that Erin never imagined would remain working to this day. Upon hearing Erin's voice, Orion struggled to contain his emotions. Both of them felt the weight of the situation, teetering on the edge of tears. "My love, are you alright?" Orion's voice trembled with concern, his trembling words betraying the depth of his emotions. The weight of sadness hung palpably between them, echoing the turmoil of their hearts. "I need a solid crust," Erin replied. Attempting to steady himself, Orion exclaimed, "I must compose myself! Fuck! How many guards are there? How many require rescue?" Recalling her observations earlier, Erin cryptically mentioned, "There's an abundance of cheese, an overwhelming number of pepperonis. The crust must be sturdy and thick," conveying to Orion the gravity of the challenge he face
"I need your help," Erin pleaded with Jenna as she made her way to Jenna's cabin. Caught off guard by Erin's sudden appearance, her cousin paused momentarily, her eyebrows furrowing in surprise. However, she swiftly composed herself, her hands continuing their fluid motion as she applied blush to her cheeks with practiced precision. Raising an eyebrow at Erin's request, Jenna couldn't help but wonder if she was losing her mind, entertaining the thought of helping someone she had distanced herself from. Jenna paused her makeup routine, crossed her arms, and met Erin's gaze in the mirror. "Are you suggesting I aid in your escape?" "Yes," Erin replied. She felt desperate. Honey had assured her that staying on the current floor offered some safety, thanks to Boss Scar's protection. However, venturing to the main deck, where the cruise clients resided, seemed perilous; too many individuals there harbored ill intentions towards her, making escape unlikely and survival uncertain. "Tha
Erin was so taken aback that she found herself unable to form a response. "J-Jenna?" she stammered. The woman before her remained stoic. Her demeanor drastically altered after five long years. She moved with unsteady steps, avoiding Erin's gaze. Erin recalled Honey's account of a woman who had been mistreated almost to the point of death by Bald, staying inside a cabin to recuperate. Could that woman possibly be Jenna? Approaching her cousin cautiously, Erin asked, "What happened to you? Why are you here?" She reached out for Jenna's hand, only to have it swiftly withdrawn. "Don't feign concern now!" Jenna retorted sharply. Despite her surprise, Erin's concern for Jenna was genuine; she simply hadn't anticipated this turn of events. Jenna attempted to compose herself, her facade crumbling. "A woman I share a room with mentioned Boss Scar's involvement in your abduction. I need to know if it's true!" "You've seen me. Are you reveling in your revenge?" Erin questioned, grappling