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 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 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
The sadness I felt when Kalix and I’s DNA test results matched was overwhelming. All my resentment toward the child suddenly disappeared. I became even more determined to win Caroline's heart again. I want to win her back. I will make everything right now that I know we have a child together. It's worth all my suffering. Maybe that's why I'm so crazy about her because we still have a connection to each other. And that connection is our child.I watched Caroline playing with our child. I can't help but laugh every time I remember how I proposed to her. I was so jealous that I couldn't help but propose, even in that situation. I wanted to prove to the world that she was mine. I didn’t care if I was obsessed with her."Slowly, you might get pregnant," I said as she got into the car.She's six months pregnant now. I made sure she would get pregnant right after our wedding. I never expected that we would have triplets. I'm excited to meet our triplets."If you hadn't made me visit you ever
She's happy with someone else now. I can't destroy her family. I just saw her happy with someone else, and suddenly, I got scared. All my courage to take her back has retreated. I feel like if I take her back now, I'll only destroy the family she built."I'm going back to the Philippines. Keep an eye on her. I'll be happy knowing she's in good shape," I told Seb bitterly before turning my back on him.Years passed, and I still couldn't forget her, no matter how many women I dated. I still asked my staff about her life every day. I'm madly in love with her.I helped her family regain popularity and increase their sales. I invested in their company as planned. I found out that her mother owned Brooks Industries. It was written in the last will of Aunt Roxanne's late father, but they had changed the name of the company.I was busy reading reports when Seb suddenly walked into my office. He was panting when he handed me his cellphone."She's back!" he said.My brow furrowed immediately. "
Ever since I saw that secret room in their CR, I've been visiting Cecile almost every day. I've also been more careful about pretending to be interested in her so she doesn't realize I have other plans."Seb, I need your help," I said directly when he answered my call. "Tomorrow night, come with me to Cecile's house. I want to check out the contents of that secret room. Caroline might be there. It’s up to you how you put their people to sleep."I was determined to see and enter that room. I had a feeling Caroline was there. Maybe they had hidden her inside.When night came, I went straight to Cecile’s house. I had dinner there. While she was busy eating, I secretly slipped a sleeping pill into her juice."How's the food?" she asked, placing her cellphone on the table. She drank her juice."Delicious," I replied sparingly and held her hand. I caressed it and bit my lower lip."Don’t you have anything to do tomorrow?" she asked, drinking the juice again. I smiled when she finished it."
Miguel's POVI am holding her hands as we walk towards Mama's grave. It's been five years since she passed away, but it all still seems like yesterday. Since she disappeared, I've been visiting her almost every day."Why didn't you tell me that Aunt Mary had been dead for a long time?" Caroline asked after arranging the flowers. Kalix lay down on the grass."You never asked," I replied modestly.Caroline sighed and sat down next to me. "Can you tell me what happened?"I stared at her for a moment. She took my hand and played with it."It’s a long story, Caroline. But to make it short—before she died, she kept looking for you because she wanted to give you your grandfather's last will. Mama thought Aunt Roxanne had been dead for a long time. She left the will before her own brother kidnapped her. When I woke up, Mama was gone. So I promised her I would find you, no matter what happened. But I found your mother first."I could barely move my body when I woke up. I looked around. There w
I glanced inside his room impatiently when I realized he had no plans of letting me in after we escorted Kalix to Don Ernesto’s room.“Aren’t you going to let me in?”He looked pained as he opened the door wider. I frowned, slightly offended that it seemed to hurt him to let me in. I entered the room and sat on the bed. My brows furrowed when I caught him staring at me.“Why does it seem like you’re forcing yourself to let me in here?” I couldn’t hide my disappointment.I crossed my arms and walked toward him. He frowned even more as I approached. Even under the dim lights, the way he looked at me revealed how much he was holding something back—something he clearly desired. He swallowed and parted his lips to speak, but nothing came out.“Miguel?” I tried again.I saw how his eyes reluctantly tore away from me. I smirked and stepped closer. I could tell he wanted to back away, but when he saw my smile, he knew I’d tease him if he did. His lips twitched, and he let me near him.I smile
"I'll take Kalix to the office. We'll have breakfast there too," Miguel said after adjusting his necktie.I peeked at Kalix behind him. He was already dressed."Kalix, stay here. Your dad won’t be able to work properly if you go with him.""Mommy, I want to go with Dad," Kalix said, rolling his eyes."No. You can’t go with him," I repeated and placed the milk on the table. "Drink your milk.""Drink your milk first, Kalix, so we can go," Miguel said after finishing his coffee."Yes, Dad," Kalix replied. He sat down in front of me, but his gaze remained fixed on Miguel."Miguel, Kalix might distract you—""He never bothers me, Caroline. He wants to come too," he said coldly.I forced a smile and looked at our son."Don’t be naughty there. I’ll see you later so we can have lunch together.""Kalix and I are eating out. Don’t bother coming to see us, Caroline. And don’t wait for us tonight either—we're going home late because Dad wants to spend time with Kalix. Why don’t you just invite
I took a deep breath after packing up my things. It was past six in the evening, but Miguel still hadn’t called me. The other employees had already gone home. I picked up my cellphone and dialed his number, but it just kept ringing. I ended up texting him that I would take a taxi home to the condo. I couldn’t be late because our son was waiting for me. Kalix wouldn’t eat dinner without me, or without both of us there.I was about to enter the elevator when my cellphone vibrated. I immediately answered when I saw Norma’s name.“Mommy, where are you?” Kalix asked right away.“I’m on my way home, Kal,” I replied as I pressed the ground floor button.“Hurry up, Mom. I’m hungry,” Kalix said.“Yes, Kalix. If you can’t wait any longer, go ahead and eat first. You might get a stomach ache again. I’m ending the call now. I love you,” I said.I looked outside and noticed there were still a lot of people. I wondered why the other employees hadn’t left yet.“Good evening, Ma’am Caroline,” greeted
I buried my face in Miguel's chest after reading Daddy's letter to me. He kept asking for my forgiveness. It felt like a thorn was removed from my heart when I read the words, "I love you," in his letter. He said he only wanted to give me a good future, but he went about it the wrong way. He never considered how I would feel. He regretted giving Cecile more attention. Still, I couldn’t entirely blame him, because neither of us knew the truth—that Cecile was an illegitimate child. My tears fell even more when I felt Miguel's tight embrace as he gently caressed my back."At last, he saw you before he died, Caroline," Miguel whispered and kissed my hair. "Maybe you were the only one he was waiting for. Now, he can rest peacefully. He won’t have to suffer anymore. He died knowing you forgave him.""It's hard to accept. I never thought that would be the last time I’d see him and talk to him. If I had known he would be taken from me so soon, I would’ve visited him every day..."Miguel sighe
Miguel held my hand as we waited for Cecile, Glenda, and Daddy to arrive. We were at the jail, visiting them. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been here—I’d been busy helping Mommy at the company, and we were always traveling outside the Philippines. Miguel was also a different kind of person when it came to dates—he and Kalix were always taking us to other countries. He wouldn’t even let Kalix out of his sight. Sometimes I wondered if he was courting me or our daughter.“They’re on their way here, Ma’am,” said the female police officer who assisted us.“Are you okay?” Miguel asked, gently kissing my hand.I smiled and nodded. “You shouldn’t have come with me. You canceled all your meetings just for this.”“Don’t worry about it, Baby. That meeting wasn’t important.”“Still, Miguel. You don’t have to be with me all the time. You have your own life too. Some people might think I’ve cast a spell on you or something,” I joked.“I don’t care what people say, Caroline. You’re the