Emelda's POV My heart softened as I stood in front of the mirror, my fingers working deftly to fix my hair as I heard the pitter patter of tiny feet outside my room.A moment later, the door burst open, revealing my two beautiful children, my heart swelling with love as I smiled at them.It was exactly two years since the fateful day I had been a whirlwind of emotions, deciding to let Bryan be and never go back pleading or begging, As I went back down the memory lane, the sting of betrayal and heartbreak from Bryan stood fresh in my mind.Taking a deep breath, I pushed away the thoughts back to the cage I had locked it in. I was glad that I was healing and moving on.“Good morning, mummy,” Marco and Martha echoed, drawing me back to reality, their voices laced with so much joy. "Good morning, my little angels," I answered back, my voice soft and gentle as I knelt down to hug and greet them, my fingers brushing against their soft, chubby cheeks as I kissed them each in turn.The t
Bryan's POV “Sir, the company's truck we ordered has been delivered.” My assistant, Shan, spoke over the phone as we spoke. “Oh really?” I replied, my tone calm and professional. “I will join you downstairs soon, I need to inspect it myself.” I added just before ending the call. It's been over two years and I was excited with the accomplishments and heights the company has risen to. As I stood up from my comfortable wheeled chair and began walking towards the door, my eyes fell on the picture of Jonathan on the left side of the wall. Although sad, I smiled. I felt fulfilled and happy that I had made him proud. With a smile still on my face, I reached out for the doorknob, opened it and exited my office for the parking lot underground.I met Shan at the doorway leading to the parking lot. Without a word, he joined me as I descended the stairs. As we walked towards the truck, we heard voices of two ladies discussing. Shan gave me a look as we found out that one of those ladies w
Bryan's POV I sat in the silence of the living room after making sure my house was rid of Cassandra and every single thing Cassandra owned. With anger still coursing through me, I sat rigid as I stared blankly at the television in front of me. My mind drifted as the images flashed on the screen, the light from the LED screen washing over my face as I sat in contemplation.As much as I tried to follow through with the show on the television, my thoughts instead turned to Emelda, the woman I had loved and lost, her face floating in the darkness of my mind as I thought about where she might be.I closed my eyes, the memories of Emelda swirling in my mind as I remembered the past, the feelings of love and happiness we had shared before everything had gone wrong, before I had pushed her away.As irritation towards myself grew, I sighed, sat up and reached for the remote control. I muted the television and sat alone in silence with my thoughts in the room. I had to think well and fast.
Bryan's POV Emelda and I sat shocked and confused for a while as we tried to process the information we had just heard. “What do you mean?” Emelda asked, her eyes still widened in shock as she stood up abruptly, panic and fear evident in her eyes. “Kids, what kids?" I asked, my voice trembling with emotion as I stood by Emelda's side, totally lost. I forgot Emelda had broken the news about her pregnancy a few months after we had separated. "Our kids, Martha and Marco," Emelda answered, her calm voice turning sharp. Ignoring Emelda's outburst which was obviously due to the emotions whirling up in her inside, I turned to face the driver who had delivered the news. His face was pale and drawn as he stood before us, he was shaking from too much adrenaline brought about from the fear he felt. “When and where did this happen?” I asked, my voice cracking as I tried to gather any information that could be helpful. "Just an hour ago," the driver said, his voice barely audible as
Bryan's POVImmediately, I reached out to Emelda, my hand on her arm as I tried to calm her, my words soft and reassuring as I spoke. "We have to trust the police, hun." After much struggle, I was able to calm her down as she listened to my words. “Will we get them back?” She asked, her words not seeking an answer but a strong reassurance. “We will hun. We will.” I answered. Taking Emelda by the hand, we sat on the long bench at the waiting area. “No, I can't wait anymore.” Emelda voiced as she suddenly stood up. She was scared and frustrated. “It's either you and your team move in now or be prepared to have a dead woman in your station.” Emelda threatened, her eyes red hot. As Emelda's words echoed through the station, the officer's demeanor changed, his face tense and focused as he nodded to his colleagues, his words quick and decisive as he ordered them to take action.Within minutes, the police had mobilized, their cars speeding through the streets as they headed towards Nat
Emelda's POV The hot rays of the scorching sun pierced through the white cotton curtain, smooching my wearied skin as I bent over the kitchen floor. The kitchen floor was as stubborn as a mule as it laid unyielding beneath the almost worn out brush I held in my hands as I scrubbed away at the stubborn stains on it. "Arghh!" I let out softly. I was exhausted and my back aches due to the hard chores and labor I had been subjected to by my stepmother. As I scrubbed further, tears rolled down my eyes as past thoughts of how I never had to do anything because my dad would always provide a maid. After my mother died with my baby brother during childbirth, I became the next most important person in my father's life until he met Juana, my stepmother. And after his mysterious death last year, everything became worse. My mind wandered back to the first time I met Juana. After years of grieving over my mother, and with the responsibility of taking care of me, my father decided to remarry
Bryan's POV "Argh!" I let out softly, my forehead furrowing as I tried to sit up, holding my head which was pounding furiously. The scent of the early morning sun rays and its warmth mixed with the scent of the sunflowers sitted calmly in the ceramic vase close to my window filled the room. As I stretch lazily, blinking away the haze of sleep still heavy on my eyes, I realize I'm not alone. A woman is lying next to me, the sheets pulled up to her chest. "Hassshh!" I sighed as I struggled to recall the events of last night's party. I had gone out like every other night, and had returned drunk. Quickly, I tap her shoulder. "Get up," I say gruffly, "It's time to go." "Uhmmm…" She muttered softly, her tone showing she was still very much sleepy. "I need more sleep." "Yesterday night was so good that it took all my strength away." She added, a flirtatious smile appearing on her face as she ran her hands across my hairy chest. "Get up and leave!!" I growled with a frown. "Fine
(Jonathan's POV) I sat on the edge of my bed as I dial the caretaker's number, my mind filled with the events of the past hour. Dealing with Bryan is always draining. As the phone rang, my eyes drifted to the framed photograph on my bedside table. It was a picture of my son, Bryan Jr's father and his wife, smiling and happy. They were the picture of perfection, the embodiment of everything I had worked for. But all that had been taken from me in an instant, in the blink of an eye, in the crash that had claimed their lives and left me a broken man. "Good afternoon sir." The caretaker's voice echoed through the phone. I swallowed hard the rising thoughts of my dead son, recollected my thoughts and focused on the task at hand. "Good afternoon," I replied, my voice terse and businesslike. "I need to discuss a matter of some urgency." The caretaker, accustomed to my no-nonsense tone, quickly agrees to meet with me. "Of course, Mr. Rodriguez," he answered. "Is there anything I
Bryan's POVImmediately, I reached out to Emelda, my hand on her arm as I tried to calm her, my words soft and reassuring as I spoke. "We have to trust the police, hun." After much struggle, I was able to calm her down as she listened to my words. “Will we get them back?” She asked, her words not seeking an answer but a strong reassurance. “We will hun. We will.” I answered. Taking Emelda by the hand, we sat on the long bench at the waiting area. “No, I can't wait anymore.” Emelda voiced as she suddenly stood up. She was scared and frustrated. “It's either you and your team move in now or be prepared to have a dead woman in your station.” Emelda threatened, her eyes red hot. As Emelda's words echoed through the station, the officer's demeanor changed, his face tense and focused as he nodded to his colleagues, his words quick and decisive as he ordered them to take action.Within minutes, the police had mobilized, their cars speeding through the streets as they headed towards Nat
Bryan's POV Emelda and I sat shocked and confused for a while as we tried to process the information we had just heard. “What do you mean?” Emelda asked, her eyes still widened in shock as she stood up abruptly, panic and fear evident in her eyes. “Kids, what kids?" I asked, my voice trembling with emotion as I stood by Emelda's side, totally lost. I forgot Emelda had broken the news about her pregnancy a few months after we had separated. "Our kids, Martha and Marco," Emelda answered, her calm voice turning sharp. Ignoring Emelda's outburst which was obviously due to the emotions whirling up in her inside, I turned to face the driver who had delivered the news. His face was pale and drawn as he stood before us, he was shaking from too much adrenaline brought about from the fear he felt. “When and where did this happen?” I asked, my voice cracking as I tried to gather any information that could be helpful. "Just an hour ago," the driver said, his voice barely audible as
Bryan's POV I sat in the silence of the living room after making sure my house was rid of Cassandra and every single thing Cassandra owned. With anger still coursing through me, I sat rigid as I stared blankly at the television in front of me. My mind drifted as the images flashed on the screen, the light from the LED screen washing over my face as I sat in contemplation.As much as I tried to follow through with the show on the television, my thoughts instead turned to Emelda, the woman I had loved and lost, her face floating in the darkness of my mind as I thought about where she might be.I closed my eyes, the memories of Emelda swirling in my mind as I remembered the past, the feelings of love and happiness we had shared before everything had gone wrong, before I had pushed her away.As irritation towards myself grew, I sighed, sat up and reached for the remote control. I muted the television and sat alone in silence with my thoughts in the room. I had to think well and fast.
Bryan's POV “Sir, the company's truck we ordered has been delivered.” My assistant, Shan, spoke over the phone as we spoke. “Oh really?” I replied, my tone calm and professional. “I will join you downstairs soon, I need to inspect it myself.” I added just before ending the call. It's been over two years and I was excited with the accomplishments and heights the company has risen to. As I stood up from my comfortable wheeled chair and began walking towards the door, my eyes fell on the picture of Jonathan on the left side of the wall. Although sad, I smiled. I felt fulfilled and happy that I had made him proud. With a smile still on my face, I reached out for the doorknob, opened it and exited my office for the parking lot underground.I met Shan at the doorway leading to the parking lot. Without a word, he joined me as I descended the stairs. As we walked towards the truck, we heard voices of two ladies discussing. Shan gave me a look as we found out that one of those ladies w
Emelda's POV My heart softened as I stood in front of the mirror, my fingers working deftly to fix my hair as I heard the pitter patter of tiny feet outside my room.A moment later, the door burst open, revealing my two beautiful children, my heart swelling with love as I smiled at them.It was exactly two years since the fateful day I had been a whirlwind of emotions, deciding to let Bryan be and never go back pleading or begging, As I went back down the memory lane, the sting of betrayal and heartbreak from Bryan stood fresh in my mind.Taking a deep breath, I pushed away the thoughts back to the cage I had locked it in. I was glad that I was healing and moving on.“Good morning, mummy,” Marco and Martha echoed, drawing me back to reality, their voices laced with so much joy. "Good morning, my little angels," I answered back, my voice soft and gentle as I knelt down to hug and greet them, my fingers brushing against their soft, chubby cheeks as I kissed them each in turn.The t
Emelda's POV My heart shattered into a million pieces as I watched Bryan and Cassandra walk away, my vision blurry with tears as I tried to process what was happening. “Why was Bryan with Cassandra? Are they now together?” I thought, my mind dazzled with confusion and I stood, rooted to the spot. As I continued to stare at them, this time with their backs facing me, I pondered in my mind as I tried to understand why Bryan had betrayed me, why he had chosen Cassandra over me. Why couldn't he just believe my own words? I thought two people in love are supposed to trust each other too? I felt a sob rip through me, my body shaking with grief as I leaned against a wall, my hands pressed to my face as I wept. "Why, Bryan?" I whispered, my voice breaking as I stared after them, the pain and loss tearing through me like a storm. I was numb with grief, my thoughts spinning as I stood there, my body shaking with sobs as the world around me seemed to fade away. To think that Bryan wasn
Emelda's POV The streets were bustling with activity, the sound of car horns and street vendors calling out their wares echoing through the air. I moved through the crowds, my eyes scanning the faces of the people around me as I headed towards the park. The buildings in that environment were old and rundown, the paint peeling and the windows cracked as I walked past, the scent of exhaust and garbage filling my nostrils. I kept my head down, my shoulders hunched as I avoided the stares of the men on the street, their leers and whistles making my skin crawl. After a few more minutes of walking, I came closer to the park. Sighting the bus I was about to leave, I broke into a run, my heart pounding in my chest as I dodged the people on the sidewalk, my breath coming in short gasps. "Wait!" I shouted, my voice raw with desperation as I reached the bus stop, waving my arms frantically at the driver. The bus slowed, the brakes screeching as it came to a stop, and I climbed aboard F
My head was pounding as I leaned back in the passenger seat, the world around me spinning as the cab pulled away from Cassandra's house. "Idiot," I muttered, my voice low and venomous as I glared out the window into the quiet street."What the hell were you thinking?"I ran my hands through my hair, my mind racing as I tried to remember what had happened.“Oh! The bar. I guess I got so drunk,” I recalled my jaw clenching as the memories of the previous night and the videos I received came rushing into my mind.The thoughts of Cassandra and me in an intimate position crossed my mind and immediately my heart cringed. “Gosh! I just hope nothing like that happened.” I let out as I ran my palm across my face. "Cassandra," I growled, my jaw clenching again as I recalled her face last night, her voice, her touch. "She was all over me, practically dripping with seduction."I shook my head, disgusted with myself. "I should have been smarter," I muttered. "I should have resisted her."But I h
Emelda's POV “My child… My child, Emelda.” The old woman's voice rang out in the small room she used as her sitting room, piercing through my thoughts as I stared lost in thoughts into the unfamiliar streets. I flinched as she touched me, bringing me back to the present. I quickly covered the curtain and sank into a nearby wooden seat by the side, fear and uncertainty flooding back into my mind."Are you okay, child?" the woman asked, her voice gentle and kind as she moved her hands from my shoulder to my head, a look of concern etched across her weathered face."I… I…I'm fine," I murmured, my voice shaking slightly as I tried to gather my composure. "I'm just worried about everything that has been happening, and my husband isn't picking up my calls.""I'm sorry, dear," the old woman said, her voice soft and apologetic. "I know you're worried about your husband, but you need to take it easy, remember the baby’s life is at risk."I nodded, my mind still clouded with worry as I locked