I only snapped back to reality when the door opened again. A woman entered and rushed towards us. "What happened to Tita Mary?" the woman asked, concern evident as she assisted Miguel. The woman briefly glanced at me before helping Miguel wake Tita. She still hasn't regained consciousness. Miguel lifted his mother, who looked pale. I felt even more anxious. "Please watch over my sister, Caroline. I'll take her outside to be checked by the nurses," Miguel said before quickly leaving the room with the woman. I was left in a daze, still staring at the door. I placed my hand on my chest while trying to catch my breath. I sat on the chair and looked at Michelle. I took her hand and held it. "Get well soon. Your mother and brother need you," I whispered as gently touched her hand. I looked up as the door creaked open. Amira entered, carrying a cup of milk tea. She rolled her eyes when she noticed me looking at her. "Where's Aunt Marry?" she asked in a sassy tone. She sat on another
Amira and I both widened our eyes at what Love Rein did. I quickly averted my gaze when I noticed Love Rein looking at us.I looked at Miguel. He just smiled at Love Rein's action. Amira nudged me again, prompting me to look at her."Isn't she my cousin's girlfriend? Why would she kiss him if she's not Miguel's girlfriend?" Amira asked.Amira raised an eyebrow as she observed Love Rein's movements. She straightened up when Tita Marry glanced at her. Tita Marry furrowed her brows, shifting her gaze between us."Is Amira giving you a hard time again, dear?" Tita Marry asked.I shook my head. "No, she's nice, Tita," I answered with a smile, and then I hooked my arm with Amira."Nice? Since when has this child been nice? She's a disobedient kid. So, if she misbehaves again with you, just let me know," Tita Marry added."I'm nice to people who are nice to me, Aunt," Amira said. She also linked arms with me, struggling to reach my shoulder."Well, that's good to know. If I see you being mea
"What the hell are they doing? Don't they have money to book a hotel or motel to do that stuff?" I exclaimed in disbelief."It must be expensive if they're going to a hotel," Amira chuckled before she opened the door to enter. I couldn't help but join in her laughter.We quickly covered our mouths when we found Love Rein and Tita Marry already asleep. The two of them were sleeping side by side on the floor. I looked at their makeshift beddings - only thin sheets were used."They shouldn't be sleeping on the floor. They might catch a chill," I told Miguel.He looked sleepily at us. He was seated on a chair, watching over his sister. Amira returned the keys to him, which he promptly accepted and kept in his pocket. I briefly observed Miguel. He still hadn't changed his clothes. He had been wearing the same outfit for three days."Have they been sleeping for a while?" Amira asked. I glanced at the wall clock. We had been gone for over an hour."I let them sleep when you left," Miguel rep
I followed Miguel angrily after he turned away from me. He opened the car door for me without looking back. I got inside without acknowledging him. He sighed before starting the car engine. "Fasten your seat belt, Ma'am Caroline," Miguel told me in a cold tone, which startled me. I glanced at him. His gaze was fixed on the road. I immediately followed what he said and just looked out the window.The ride was quiet. It was late at night, yet sleep still eluded me. I couldn't shake off what Miguel said before we left. He knew I didn't respond to Alexander and I never would. I didn't know what prompted him to say that. "Alexander is your boyfriend. Do I need to remind you of that?" I kept replaying his words in my mind. I discreetly glanced at Miguel while contemplating if I said something wrong earlier, causing him to act cold towards me."You shouldn't have bought those things for Michelle," Miguel broke the silence. He briefly looked at me before focusing back on the road. "I ca
I sat on the swivel chair, occasionally checking if my friends had unblocked me. I don't know if I said or did something wrong for them to behave this way towards me. They blocked me without giving any explanation. I gritted my teeth when I saw my mother calling. I took a deep breath before answering her call. "What are you doing, Caroline? Alexander told me everything. He said you're refusing to go on a date with him. He's your-" "He's what? My boyfriend?" I interrupted her. I took a deep breath and smiled. "He's not my boyfriend, Mom. Why are you so insistent on that guy? I'm tired of arguing with you." "He's your boyfriend, Caroline. It would help if you dated him. That's an order from your mother! Or else -" "Or else, what? Are you threatening me to take all my cards or block them all? Don't you have any other reason, Mom? Even if you take all my money, I don't care! I won't date him!" I exclaimed angrily. "We need him, Caroline! We need their help for our company! We're on
Two weeks have passed since I last saw Miguel. He's on leave to help his mother take care of Michelle. I wanted to visit the hospital, but I couldn't leave as Alexander was always following me. For now, Mr. Berto is my temporary bodyguard and driver while Miguel is away. Alexander now picks me up and drops me off whenever I finish work late. Alexander's sudden change surprises me. I never thought I could spend a week with him without arguing or raising my voice at him. I'm still getting used to all his actions. I am pleased with the positive feedback from my coworkers about Alexander. Even they are surprised because he always smiles when they greet him. "Hi, Love. How was your work?" Alexander asked as he kissed my forehead. He had just returned from the rehabilitation center. "It's okay," I replied while focusing on my laptop. "Are you hungry? I'll order our food." I looked up at him. He was already seated on the couch. "I want to eat pizza," I said and returned my gaze to my l
"Miguel..." I tried to interject with logic, but it came out as a moan. I placed my hand on his shoulder. His kisses returned to my lips, but this time with more intensity. His right leg is now positioned between my thighs, hitting a sensitive spot. With his passionate kisses, I reciprocated eagerly. I lost myself in the moment, not even realizing that I instinctively moved my waist to feel him more. "Miguel, we're in the..." my rational mind attempted to protest, but it was the last straw. His response was to lift me onto my table. There was barely enough space, and things were falling off, but he didn't care. He placed me on the table without hesitation. I cursed in my mind as I thought about the documents I still needed to read. "Is this what you wear when you're with your boyfriend?" I swallowed hard. He tightened his grip on me. "No. He's not my boyfriend. You know I don't like him." I blinked rapidly, feeling a flutter of anticipation. His hand moved from my waist to the s
I looked at myself in the large mirror before leaving the office. "My suit is so wrinkled," I said to Miguel as we entered the elevator. He took off his suit and handed it to me. "You can wear my coat," he said, draping it over my shoulders. "This wouldn't have been wrinkled if you knew how to control yourself," I glanced at him. His hand slipped into his pants pocket. He chuckled. "Why didn't you stop me? I'm not the only one who couldn't control myself, Caroline." I raised an eyebrow at him. "It's fair now. We're fuck buddies, as you said. We can't just do that whenever you want. I have needs too." I gave him a stern look. "Be careful with your words. Someone might overhear you." He just laughed at me. I rolled my eyes and put on his coat. The elevator rang, and the doors opened. Miguel stepped out first, and I followed. I walked quickly, noticing that the surroundings were getting darker. I held onto Miguel's arm. He furrowed his brow, looking at my hand tightly gripping hi
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