“Mommy, where are we going?” Kalix asked when he noticed I was in a hurry to leave.I grabbed a large cart and quickly placed our groceries inside. Then, I picked him up and set him in the cart before pushing it toward the parking lot.“Are they your friends?” he asked as we reached the car.I forced a smile. “Yeah. They’re Mommy’s friends, Kalix.” I opened the car door and started loading the groceries. I helped him inside.“Mommy, I want to help you,” he said, trying to open the door.“You stay there, Kalix. I’m almost done.”He sighed when I glanced at him.“It’s time to look for a husband, Mommy. Look, you’re carrying all these things—”“Kalix, we’ve already talked about this, right? I don’t need a husband.”I heard him sigh again, but this time, he didn’t say anything. After returning the cart to the side of the exit, I got into the car. Kalix was staring into the distance.I followed his gaze.A lump formed in my throat when I saw what he was looking at—a family ad playing on th
I locked myself in my room and scrolled through his messages, my hands trembling. I wanted to find his first message—the one that started it all.When I did, it felt like a needle piercing my heart.“Day 1. I survived.”It was sent exactly one month after I gave birth to Kalix. That was one year ago.“Day 7. I miss you.”“Day 14. Please, come back.”“Day 30. Caroline, I want to hug you.”I exhaled shakily as I kept scrolling. Message after message, day after day—he had written to me every single day.I hadn’t even realized my tears were falling until they blurred my vision.“Day 700. I’m about to lose hope that you’ll ever come back to me.”I wiped my tears, but my chest ached as I read through everything. It was as if he had turned my inbox into a daily diary—updating me on his life, even without a response.That’s how I found out he had graduated from college.That he had gone back to finish his studies after dropping out in his second year.That his marriage to Monica didn’t work o
I didn’t understand what Miss Yollie was saying. It felt like I had gone deaf. My eyes remained fixed on Miguel, my body frozen in place. I only looked away when she nodded.Miss Yollie handed him my resume. I clenched my fists as I watched him scan the contents. My heart pounded when I noticed the frown forming on his face.“He will be your boss, Miss Caroline. We assigned you to his company because—”“Isn’t there another company that needs an accountant, Ma’am?” I interrupted, my voice tight.Miss Yollie blinked, surprise flashing across her face. Then, to my horror, she looked amused. She hesitated before responding.“For the meantime, you will work at the hotel they own—”“Just assign another accountant if she doesn’t want to work at our hotel, Miss Yollie,” Miguel cut in coldly. “We don’t force people who don’t want to work with us.”I looked up at him as he emphasized the last word, his gaze locked onto mine. I swallowed hard.“But she’s the most qualified applicant for your hot
I felt a pang of relief after Manager Amelita left. But that relief quickly faded when I remembered what she had said—Miguel’s office was right next to mine. The thought alone made me want to go home to the condo.Frustrated, I forced myself to focus and began reading the hotel’s financial records.Halfway through, a wave of drowsiness washed over me. I glanced around, hoping to find a coffee maker, but there was nothing. The office was sparsely furnished, containing only a few essentials.A sudden knock on the door made me look up. I adjusted my skirt, noticing it had risen slightly, before making my way to the door.My grip on the doorknob tightened the moment I saw Miguel standing there. His forehead creased as soon as he laid eyes on me. Without a word, he handed me a stack of documents. I swallowed hard before accepting them.“Good day, Sir—”“Read and review these documents. Prepare a financial report. I need it on my desk before ten tomorrow morning.”I stared at the sheer volu
When the woman left, I also made my way out, my chest rising and falling as I struggled to catch my breath. Back in my office, I grabbed a glass of water and took a few sips, but for some reason, I was still sweating. The air conditioner was running loudly, yet it did nothing to ease the heat I felt.I forced myself to focus, diving back into the financial documents to complete the reports Miguel had assigned me. It was almost six o’clock in the evening, yet I was still nowhere near finished. My shift had officially ended at five, but I couldn’t leave yet—I was waiting for Manager Amelita. She hadn’t shown up today, and I needed to ask her something. I didn’t want to make a mistake on Miguel’s report, or else he might humiliate and insult me.My phone vibrated on the desk, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw Belen’s name. I immediately answered.“Mommy, what time will you be home? I’m waiting for you so we can have dinner together.”I checked the wall clock
I felt my entire body tremble. It was as if my breath had caught in my throat, refusing to escape, after hearing what Lena had just said.“M-My real mother is alive?” I asked in disbelief, my voice barely above a whisper. My breath hitched when Lena nodded.“Inside that CD, you’ll see how they abused Ma’am Roxanne. They kept her locked up in an underground facility, but I don’t know exactly where, Ma’am.”“No… this can’t be true, Lena…” I shook my head, refusing to believe it.“They wouldn’t be hunting me down if I were lying to you, Ma’am Caroline.” Lena’s grip tightened on my hand. “I won’t force you to believe me. Just watch the CD. That will prove I’m telling the truth.”She took a deep breath before continuing. “At first, I didn’t understand why they were looking for me. But when they killed my parents, they left a note at our house. They said that if I didn’t return the CD, they would kill me too. Terrified, I ran away and hid.”I stared at the CD in my hands, my chest tightenin
I searched for more articles, specifically about the Gutierrez family. That’s when I discovered the truth—Roxanne Gutierrez, my real mother, and Glenda, my mother-in-law, are sisters.Daddy was Chairman Ricardo Gutierrez’s right-hand man and the husband of his eldest daughter.After reading multiple sources, even though years had passed, I began to piece everything together.The fire in their mansion wasn’t an accident.Everything was planned.There was a strong possibility that Daddy married Mommy Glenda because he believed he would inherit the company through her. But instead, the company was passed down to Roxanne Gutierrez.Daddy had a relationship with Roxanne before… because he had evil intentions.A sharp pain pulsed in my temples. I pressed my fingers against my head, groaning. I glanced at the wall clock—it was already past three in the morning.And I still hadn’t finished my work.My mind was spinning. What should I focus on now?Should I finish my work? Or should I finish w
I sighed. I wanted to leave. My bitter smile remained as my eyes stayed fixed on their intertwined hands.“We are dating, Caroline,” Cecile repeated, her voice laced with warning. “If you’re planning to take Miguel away from me, you know where to find me.”I covered my mouth, laughing. She’s acting like a jealous girlfriend when they’re not even real.“I have no plans to take him from you, Ate. I’m happy with my life now. I’m free. I can do whatever I want.” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear before continuing, “Maybe you’re forgetting—he was mine before he was yours.”I met her glare head-on. “So don’t talk to me like that, Cecile. I don’t make a habit of stealing. Unlike you… who has a history of taking what isn’t yours.”“What did you just say?!” Cecile shrieked. She raised her hand to slap me, but I caught her wrist mid-air.“Try it,” I dared, tightening my grip. “Hit me and see what happens. I’ve been holding back for so long, but not anymore. I won’t let you bully me
I ordered Daddy’s men to get him some water. They tried to approach him, but his men blocked their way.“Samson, we’re not in a relationship—”“Are you still going to deny it even now, when it’s already too late?” I asked Glenda. I helped Daddy sit down, relieved that he let me assist him.When the men I had sent returned, I immediately gave Daddy the water. Once he felt a little better, I took his cellphone and searched for his personal doctor’s number.“Come to the company right away. Daddy needs you,” I ordered before hanging up.“This is your fault! He’s struggling again because of you—”“Shut your mouth, Cecile!” Daddy scolded her authoritatively. I grinned to myself.“Daddy, she’s just trying to stir up trouble! Why are you believing that woman? We’re your family!” Cecile shouted.But Daddy suddenly laughed, catching my attention. “Family? Can we even call this a family after what I just found out about your mother’s betrayal?”“You cheated on Mommy first, Dad!” Cecile shot back
I let out a loud laugh as Cecile fumed, her face red with anger. The important people had already left the company, leaving just us behind. She ran her fingers through her disheveled hair and glared at me with pure hatred.“Are you kidding me? Don’t you have anything better to do with your life? What the hell are you doing here? Weren’t you the one who said you’d forget about us as your family? Then why are you here now?”“Throw this woman out if you don’t want to—”“Aunt Glenda, I’m not the one who should be leaving,” I cut her off with a smirk.“W-What? You just called me Aunt?” She gasped, disbelief etched across her face.“What else should I call you?” I raised an eyebrow. “Aunt? That works, since my mother was your sister.”“Caroline, what are you talking about?” Daddy interjected, his voice sharp. “Watch your tone when speaking to Glenda. And who told you that she and your mother were sisters?”“Why, Dad? Did I say anything offensive?” I gave him a bitter smile. “Am I still supp
“Good morning, Kalix,” I greeted him as he saw me cooking in the kitchen.“Mommy?” he said, his eyes widening in surprise. He had grown used to me being locked in my room, crying and refusing to eat. “Good morning, Mommy!” His smile stretched from ear to ear before he ran toward me.I welcomed him with a tight hug, savoring the warmth of his laughter.Lena, Belen, and Norma could hardly believe their eyes when they saw me up early, cooking breakfast.How could I not be productive?The videos I uploaded were starting to go viral.I couldn’t wait to see Cecile swarmed by reporters, forcibly removed from her position.Even in the bathroom, I found myself singing as I showered.I couldn’t stop thinking about how they would handle the scandal that Cecile and Alexander had caused years ago.After all, she was the one who dragged Alexander’s name into the conversation—even though he had been dead for a long time.---“Ma’am Caroline!” Lena’s urgent voice came with a series of knocks on my do
I had been locked in my room for an entire week. Even the simplest tasks—bathing, wiping myself—felt like a struggle.I had lost my appetite.All I did was drink water.I was ashamed. Ashamed of Lena and my two helpers, who had to witness me like this.But I was also grateful. They were taking care of Kalix.At least someone was.---“Ma’am Caroline, I cooked your favorite food,” Belen said as she entered my room, smiling. She carried a tray of steaming dishes.The rich aroma of pork stew filled the air, mixing with the scent of other familiar foods she had prepared.But I felt nothing. No hunger. No interest.Even if she cooked all my favorite meals, it wouldn’t change anything.“Just put it on the table, Belen,” I said, my gaze distant.She hesitated before placing the tray on the bed instead.“Eat while the soup is still warm,” she coaxed gently. “You might not want it later if it gets cold.”I glanced at the table.The food they had brought me this morning was still there—untouche
I cried endlessly after leaving the hotel, clutching the urn that was said to contain Mommy’s ashes. Unable to bear it any longer, I opened it.Inside, I found a small box. Wiping my tears, I carefully took it out, my hands trembling.A customized photo locket necklace. Old. Worn.My attention was drawn to the pendant. Slowly, I opened it—and fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.Inside was a tiny photo. I was crying when it was taken, and Mommy... Mommy was smiling.My gaze dropped back to the box when I noticed more pictures inside.“Mommy...” I whispered, my voice breaking, as I pulled out the photographs.They were of us—when I was just a child, unaware of the cruelty of the world.As I looked through them one by one, the ache in my chest deepened. It felt like I couldn’t breathe.She was probably gone.For all these years, I had never known what it was like to be loved by a mother. I had always searched for that warmth, that care.I only found out about her last night. Now, I was d
I sat down on the floor and immediately hugged the urn. I didn’t know whether to believe what Don Ernesto had just said. Just last night, Lena told me that my real mother was still alive.“My real mother is still alive...” I murmured, staring at the urn. “I just found out last night that she was still alive.”Don Ernesto took a deep breath. “She passed away peacefully two years ago, hija.”I clutched my chest as a sharp pain tightened around my heart. Breathing became difficult. I shook my head.“Mommy is still alive.” I forced a smile and placed the urn on the floor. “She’s not dead yet. I’ll find her. I’ll find a way to bring her back.” I took a deep breath, holding back the tears stinging my eyes. “I saw the video. I saw how my own family abused her. This isn’t funny, Sir. If you’re mad at me because your precious life was put in danger, then fine—I’m sorry. But don’t play with my mother’s life like this. This is not a joke.”“I’m not joking, hija. And I’m not angry with you either
I sighed. I wanted to leave. My bitter smile remained as my eyes stayed fixed on their intertwined hands.“We are dating, Caroline,” Cecile repeated, her voice laced with warning. “If you’re planning to take Miguel away from me, you know where to find me.”I covered my mouth, laughing. She’s acting like a jealous girlfriend when they’re not even real.“I have no plans to take him from you, Ate. I’m happy with my life now. I’m free. I can do whatever I want.” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear before continuing, “Maybe you’re forgetting—he was mine before he was yours.”I met her glare head-on. “So don’t talk to me like that, Cecile. I don’t make a habit of stealing. Unlike you… who has a history of taking what isn’t yours.”“What did you just say?!” Cecile shrieked. She raised her hand to slap me, but I caught her wrist mid-air.“Try it,” I dared, tightening my grip. “Hit me and see what happens. I’ve been holding back for so long, but not anymore. I won’t let you bully me
I searched for more articles, specifically about the Gutierrez family. That’s when I discovered the truth—Roxanne Gutierrez, my real mother, and Glenda, my mother-in-law, are sisters.Daddy was Chairman Ricardo Gutierrez’s right-hand man and the husband of his eldest daughter.After reading multiple sources, even though years had passed, I began to piece everything together.The fire in their mansion wasn’t an accident.Everything was planned.There was a strong possibility that Daddy married Mommy Glenda because he believed he would inherit the company through her. But instead, the company was passed down to Roxanne Gutierrez.Daddy had a relationship with Roxanne before… because he had evil intentions.A sharp pain pulsed in my temples. I pressed my fingers against my head, groaning. I glanced at the wall clock—it was already past three in the morning.And I still hadn’t finished my work.My mind was spinning. What should I focus on now?Should I finish my work? Or should I finish w
I felt my entire body tremble. It was as if my breath had caught in my throat, refusing to escape, after hearing what Lena had just said.“M-My real mother is alive?” I asked in disbelief, my voice barely above a whisper. My breath hitched when Lena nodded.“Inside that CD, you’ll see how they abused Ma’am Roxanne. They kept her locked up in an underground facility, but I don’t know exactly where, Ma’am.”“No… this can’t be true, Lena…” I shook my head, refusing to believe it.“They wouldn’t be hunting me down if I were lying to you, Ma’am Caroline.” Lena’s grip tightened on my hand. “I won’t force you to believe me. Just watch the CD. That will prove I’m telling the truth.”She took a deep breath before continuing. “At first, I didn’t understand why they were looking for me. But when they killed my parents, they left a note at our house. They said that if I didn’t return the CD, they would kill me too. Terrified, I ran away and hid.”I stared at the CD in my hands, my chest tightenin