I gazed up at the towering building before me. Blinking as I faced the dazzling sunlight, I felt a surge of nerves as I glanced back at the building's entrance. Adjusting my corporate attire, I let out a heavy sigh before finally stepping into the lobby.
This was the place Ulysses directed me to, the company where I could encounter my grandfather: the Alcantara Estate. My mind was in disarray as I entered without a concrete plan.
I simply wanted to see them, to have them see me, hoping for some assistance. Ulysses mentioned their desire to meet me for quite some time, but they had been cautious since Papa's passing, considering the seriousness of our family's adversaries. I struggled to grasp the reason behind everything.
"Miss, I'm looking for—" I began but stopped short, sensing the woman's intense scrutiny.
His whispers of wanting rest, of finding solace in my company, felt like pleas tinged with vulnerability.I understood his desire for comfort, for reassurance. But the stakes were high; Amari's privacy was paramount, and I was willing to go to any lengths to ensure it.I bit my lip, trying to comfort Hector with a gentle pat on his back. Sensing his genuine distress, I gently moved away from his embrace, noticing the deeper furrows on his forehead."If you're looking for rest, why not head home and get some sleep—""You're my solace, Solei. Please... just for today. Let me be with you," he implored, his plea sounding almost childlike.Before I could respond, his phone abruptly rang. I waited for him to answer it, observ
It was exactly five o'clock when I finished. Despite not having seen my overall appearance yet, I felt reassured by Riley and Elena's reactions."Social party, isn't it? I'm sure your ex and your brat sister will be there too. You look exactly right. The face of revenge!" Riley nodded and ushered me towards the large mirror.When I saw myself, my mouth fell open. My makeup was simple, and like my gown, my lipstick was red. My hair remained loose but curled at the ends. I almost didn't recognize myself."Apollo's outside, Ana. Shall I let him in?" Elena asked me.I quickly turned to her and shook my head. I didn't speak anymore and went to the room where Amari was. I excused myself to her teacher first, and when we were left alone, she smiled upon seeing me."You're beautiful, mommy," she said and hugged me."Mommy will go somewhere for a while, baby. Behave here, okay?" I told her softly. She looked up at me, and her smile widened."I will sleep too early so I can dream of daddy again
"Are you sure? We can go home if you want," he said so I immediately shook.I was about to speak when suddenly other well-known personalities arrived and immediately greeted Hector. He stood up right away and supported me as well."It's so nice to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Real. It's good that you made it despite your busy schedule." Hector greeted them and shook hands. The two just smiled and glanced at me so I kept my wide smile even though I was embarrassed again."It's our pleasure, hijo. We actually came here to see you. We heard that you have been married for a long time," said the Real woman and turned to me then smiled. "I guess she's the lucky wife of yours.""Yes, Mrs. Real. This is my lovely wife, Anastacia Solei Alcaraz…" said Hector and turned to me
"I'm going to kill you, motherfucker!"Hector's voice echoed through the air as Don Damien pulled them apart. Ares smirked, wiping a bit of blood from his lips. His left eye and lip were both marked."Really, huh? Then let's bet who will be six feet under after tonight," Ares threatened, casting a glance in my direction."You two, cut it out! What's happening? What did you do, Apollo?!" Donya Valeria was furious, restraining Ares, while even Agatha held onto him."I can't believe you'd be ready to kill each other over a woman! What's gotten into you?" Don Damien asked, turning to me.There was no response. Instead, I felt Hector gently lifting me up, facing everyone once again."W
"If you don't want this, you can just tell your family about it, especially Lola Andrada because she is the one who wants this event to happen the most, Ana. Grandpa Leoncio is against it honestly," said Ulysses so I looked at him."But why do they even want to show Solei to everyone after a decade of hiding her?" Hector asked him.Ulysses scratched his head. "If only your mom is still alive, she'll be the one to explain everything to you clearly."My forehead furrowed. "Grandma said mom had been dead for a long time. What happened? And why did she and papa die almost in the same year?"As soon as it came out of my mouth, I noticed Hector's sudden silence. He also suddenly let go of my hand so I caught a glimpse of him. His expression darkened and it remained to stare at
Hector just drove me quickly to the condo and then said goodbye and seemed to be in a hurry. When I asked him why, his answer was that he just needed to go somewhere so I didn't stop him, especially when I saw in his expression that it seemed like an emergency.I lazily went straight to Amari and I's room when I didn't reach anything. Elena has not yet returned from the grocery store and I only caught up with Via with Amari. She has no work today that's why I'm very thankful to her about Amari."How are you? Are we going to fix everything for you later? Just tell me," she greeted me as I sat down next to Amari who was busy watching. I just looked at her for a moment and grinned."I don't know if I will continue. I'm nervous, Vi. I don't know what awaits me there. Also, what if I put myself in more danger, especially
I stopped walking and looked up. I saw the full moon that served as a light to us at those times. We were both quiet so I could hear the noise coming from the party going on in my family's vast land."Solei…" He called me in his hoarse voice so I immediately turned to him."Hmm?"He frowned and turned to face me. I could see the extreme fear in his eyes so I was surprised. Is this about what I saw earlier?"Why, Hector?""Please, be mad. Aren't you mad at me for what you saw earlier?" His voice was full of pleading so I almost laughed. He grabs my hands."Should I be mad?" I simply asked him. The wrinkle on his forehead disappeared but he remained seemingly confused. His ja
I was just looking at Maureen's table, his secretary, I saw her immediately stand up and seemed even more surprised to see me."Ma'am Ana, you're here." She greeted me. My forehead furrowed."Ah… Hector knows I'm coming," I replied to her.Her expression became even more confused and she glanced at the door of Hector's office for a moment."Ah, sir is still talking to someone inside, eh," she answered me with her hand so I nodded."It's okay, Mau. He knew I was coming. I'm coming in," I told her directly.I didn't wait for her to answer and left. I knocked for a moment and then went inside. The cold room greeted me and the voices of two people.
"They are healthy. You will see them when you are well, so get stronger soon," he told me softly and brought his face closer to my cheek.I closed my eyes. I feel the extreme fatigue in my whole body and the pain of the wound in my stomach. I had a C-section. The last time I remember, I really tried to make it in normal delivery but my body gave up suddenly. Everyone gave in to me, so everyone immediately decided for me because if not, my children will be in trouble.I could feel Hector's tight grip on my hands so I looked at him again. He closed his eyes while his face was still buried in my neck. Apparently, resting... or praying? I smiled and almost cried when I remembered the first time I gave birth and he was not by my side during those times. It was normal delivery yet it was hard for me to carry. Because I'm all alone. Everyone was there for me, cheering me, but I still felt loneliness during those times. But now, despite the pain and fatigue that my whole body feels, I feel
Hector’s POVOne thing about Solei that I love the most—she is different—she still looks up even when the stars aren't shining. She made the broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She wasn't simple. She was a beast in her own way. She's mystical. Anastacia Solei is deep and I am always willing to dive into her mind and soul—no matter how deep it is.I looked up at him. The flower crown on top of her head is not enough to beat her beauty. She looks like a fairy in her long white dress. It's simple but her beauty is so beautiful. Her brown hair looks so shiny while they were swaying by the strong winds. She smiled and focused her gaze on me. It pierces my soul. I feel like my heart is going to explode because I love him so much.I am so in love with her that she makes me feel sick to my stomach.I can still remember the second time I saw her after so many years—after that incident.Inside that bar, he was the only one I saw. He seemed to be glowing while dancing in the middle
"Ares was right about you. He told me you're different than the other women out there. And I know he regrets that he used you in all his plans. What happened to us after that night, it wasn't the first time I saw you—the first time was when I rushed you to the hospital that day your father was shot by Ares. I knew I had to protect you because his group was also aiming for you. And then I never saw you again. I just found out that you are with Ares. That's when I found out everything he was planning and I had to rescue you again. And it pains me to see you hurting despite your genuine kindness. So when I saw Matthew hurt you, I almost destroyed his face after warning him about you. But he didn't listen. Your half-brother underestimated me, so I had to give him a lesson..."I felt surprised when I heard that. I suddenly remembered Matthew's broken face that was not done by Ares. So, that was him. Why is he only telling me this now? Why does he know more about me than I know about my lif
I could feel the anxiety and pain slowly engulfing me as we crossed the road to the hospital. I didn't listen properly to what Leon said and the only thing that stuck in my mind was when he said where it was—he was rushed to the hospital!I immediately looked at the nurse's counter. "M-miss, Hector Aragon..."That's all I said because I couldn't understand what was happening around me. He seemed to understand what I said. He looked at his monitor for a moment before turning to me."Still in the emergency room, Ma'am."I frowned. "Huh? I thought he was—""Ana, I found them!" I heard Leon scream so I looked at him quickly.I didn't waste any more time. I immediately followed him as he led me to the emergency room. I can still feel my surprise because I know that his condition is critical. Why is he still in the ER?My mind became even more confused when we reached a room that was only blocked by curtains. I tried asking Leon what we were doing here but he suddenly stopped and Hector w
Why do you need to keep this from me, Hector? what are you planningI didn't answer. I just stared at him. Measuring his gaze and how long he will go on lying to me. When he didn't really speak, I just got tired and looked away from him. I calmly went to the bed and lay down there. I suddenly felt a strange nervousness for an unknown reason."Hey..." I heard him call me.Next, I felt him sitting next to me. He caressed my cheek gently. I turned my back to his direction and tried to stop myself from paying attention to him."Baby..." he called me again. I closed my eyes tightly."Just go, Hector. I'm done talking to you," I told him lazily without looking at him.He kept caressing my cheek so I just closed my eyes.Where is he going? Does he know where his daddy is hiding so he will go to him? What will he do there? Why does he have to hide that thing from me?"I'll be quick. Don't be mad, please..." he gently said to me.I felt his hot breath on my cheek. After a while, his soft lip
"Don't you want to join us there?"I turned to the person who spoke and saw Leon carrying wine glasses. It stopped at my side."I wish I could," I answered him regretfully. I suddenly felt sad for some unknown reason."You still can. Unless Hector doesn't want you to hang out with us anymore," he said to me seriously so I looked at him.I crossed my arms on me and looked at him intently."What's your problem with him?" I asked him. Leon suddenly smirked at me and shook his head. "His father killed your parents, Ana, as well as you. He tries to kill you many times and he couldn't do anything about it. Do you think I can easily accept that? You know me," he answered in his baritone voice.I heaved a sigh violently. I somehow understand where he is coming from. Between the two of them, Ulysses is the one who is over-protective of everyone. If Ulysses has been given and allowed all my luxuries and passions from then until now, he is not. This is one of the inherited habits of Lolo Leonc
Everything he said did not enter my brain. I don't understand anything at all. He's giving up? Why? Why is he suddenly saying this? Where does it come from?"So, is it true? That because you love Leandro Alcaraz so much, you intend to betray mom?" I asked him in disbelief.That's because I'm still hoping that he might have another reason. That maybe this wasn't really his real reason why he did that.But instead of answering me, he suddenly stood up. I just followed him with my eyes until he arrived in front of the glass window of the study room. He looked there. His gaze was far away from nothing so I kept my gaze on him."Only my children know how much I love them... equally. What happened to Leandro was his own fault and he was the only one to blame for it. That maybe I was lacking in them that's why he did that. But it's not because I love him more than Ariza and Gascon. I did that because... it was your mom's will. He always wanted to give up but your dad just stopped him. We did
I'm catching my breath because of the anger and pain I feel while watching her just looking at me and I can't even see any sympathy in her eyes.And I understand that.But it still hurts.Agatha laughed sarcastically. "And you're hurting now because? What right do you have to be hurt after the bad luck you brought to our family? Do you think you'd get my sympathy because we didn't love you enough?""I didn't ask anything from you since then, Agatha and even more so now. Do you even know what Ares did to me?" I asked her trembling. I looked up at her big belly. I remembered what mom told me when she visited me last week."Congratulations on your pregnancy, anyway," I said and cried again when I remembered what happened to my pregnancy."I was supposed to be pregnant, too, but Ares took that from me. After he tried to rape me, he caused my miscarriage and I couldn't even do anything to make him pay for everything he did to me. He died without difficulty. Do you think that's fucking unac
"Where are you going?"I turned to the person who spoke and saw Hector who had just entered our room. It just woke up and maybe it came from Amari's room because they both slept there. His forehead was wrinkled as he watched me from head to toe."You didn't say you had something in mind today," he added and sat on the bed, watching me again while fixing my hair and face."Only at the law firm. I just need to talk to someone," I answered him then looked at him.His mouth was open so I looked at his lips. It was red and seemed to be calling me to give him a kiss. Even though he just woke up, he still looks very handsome. He is even more handsome with his appearance."Who?" He asked more. He slightly moved my chair closer to him and held me in his arms."It's Doña Valeria..." I hesitantly answered him.His forehead furrowed even more. He even licked his lower lip while clenching his jaw. "Why?" He asked again in his baritone voice. I swallowed."I'm not sure if she's there now, but Uly