I held the steering wheel of the car while looking out the window. I wanted to cry again after admitting to him that I also had feelings for Miguel. I was so embarrassed. He thought I had rejected him, but now I was admitting to him face to face that I liked him."I have to go," I said to break the silence. You can get out if you want. I've said everything I wanted to say. I don't care if you laugh at me because I admitted that I liked you."“Do you mean it?" he asked.I didn't know if I should be happy with his question or be shocked. He was hard to talk to. It took him a while to understand what I was saying. I pulled his collar and pressed a kiss to his lips."Yes, Miguel," I whispered after I kissed him."Does it mean -"I kissed him again. "Stop courting me. You're my boyfriend starting today.""The real one?" he clarified.I nodded. "You don't want to?""No, no. I like it. I'm just ... speechless. I don't know how much you make me happy, Caroline." He hugged me.I couldn't help
"Stop it, Miguel!" I whispered to him while looking away.He took my hand and kissed it. I looked around in case anyone had seen us and recognized me. I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed that there were only a few people eating and they were only looking at their food.It wasn't long before I finished eating. I just ignored his lingering stares at me. This was nothing new to me, but it felt like something new to me. Is it because we both have feelings for each other?"You seem to be thinking deeply," Miguel suddenly asked as we walked towards his Mom's room."Nothing. I'm just happy," I said. I wrapped one of my arms around his waist and leaned my head on his shoulder."Is there a problem?" Miguel asked.I stopped walking. "I might be gone for a week. My cousin's wedding. I'm going to Cebu. Daddy gave me a one-week vacation. It's a shame because I can't be with you. Your family needs you here.""When are you going to Cebu?""Tomorrow morning. Don't worry. We have body guards th
"I'm just thinking about your well-being, Miguel. I'm your friend. It's not that I'm interested in your relationship. But it's wrong for you to love your boss's daughter!"I wanted to scold Love Rein but not a single word came out of my mouth. I let go of Miguel's hand and faced him."Isn't what you're doing now a nuisance, Love Rein? Why was it such a big deal when you discovered our relationship? I know you don't like me. I'm not blind enough to not notice the way your eyes dart around whenever you see me.""Think about it, Caroline! You're putting my friend's life in danger. You're ruining his life!" Love Rein hissed at me."She's not ruining my life!" Miguel shouted.We both looked at Miguel. His jaw tightened and he looked straight at Love Rein."She's not ruining my life, Love Rein," he repeated in a calm voice. "If you have nothing else to say, it's best to just go home."Love Rein sighed. "You're going to take me home? You'd choose that girl over me?""Yes. I will choose her o
I stood up and picked up my bag from the floor. I carefully placed it on the small table."What if I'm an illegitimate child? I'm grateful that I found out the truth." I adjusted my clothes. "Wow! You're different." Cecile clapped her hands. "You must be so proud when you found out that you were the child of Daddy's mistress," she added.My fists clenched. I wanted to tug at her hair but I just held myself back. I needed to calm down because I owned the condo."Jay, let my sister out," I ordered. I looked at Jay and noticed that she wasn't moving from where she was standing. "Are you going to let her out or do you want to lose your job?" I threatened."Hey, Caroline! You can't let me out because I own this too!" Cecile shouted angrily when Jay grabbed her."Caroline, are you that angry with Cecile? She wants to stay here for one night -""Don't get involved in this, Alexander!" I shouted angrily.Alexander frowned. "Don't talk to me like that. Maybe you forgot that your family's comp
I turned around and saw Julia walking towards me. She was sipping her coffee.“Are you okay? Is there a problem? I’ve noticed you’ve been quiet for a while.” She put the glass of coffee on the table.I smiled and shook my head. “I’m just tired from the trip,” I excused myself. She raised an eyebrow at me. “I don’t have a problem, Jul. I’m just really tired.”To be honest, I didn’t sleep well last night after Mommy called. I don’t know why she called and asked for forgiveness for everything she did to me. It was the first time I heard the word sorry from her.“How are you? I haven’t heard from you. Aunt Glenda said you were busy with your company. You didn’t tell us that Alexander is your boyfriend.” She sipped her coffee again. “I thought you didn’t like that guy. You know, his life background is ugly.”“I had no choice, Jul. I wasn’t the one who decided to answer Alexander either.”“W-Wait, wait. You didn’t accept that man?”I nodded. “That was her decision. And worst, she even went
I was locked in my room all day. My other cousins always teased me to go out and play with them because the sunlight wasn't so painful. I just watched them while they happily played in the sea."Caroline, give me a break. I'm getting married and you don't want to play with us," Julia said as she entered my room."I want to rest first. I'll come out later," I said as I adjusted my clothes."Promise? I'll be mad at you if you don't come out."I smiled and nodded. "Promise."I lay down on the bed when Julia left my room. Honestly, I've been too lazy to go out and hang out with my cousins ever since I found out I was an illegitimate child. I was afraid of what they might say when they found out the truth.I downloaded video games on my phone to keep me busy. It wasn't long before I got bored of playing games. I watched shows and other trending videos on the internet.I looked at my phone when its screen lit up. I looked to see who had texted me, and I smiled when I saw Miguel's name.From
I was frozen in my seat. I couldn't move. I didn't know how to react."Caroline Anastasia Brooks is dating his bodyguard," Violeta repeated while showing me her phone."W-What does this mean, Caroline?" Julia asked while her eyes were on Violeta's phone. "You were on the news, but they didn't put a picture of your so-called bodyguard.""T-That's not true. I'm not dating my bodyguard," I defended. I stood up to check the news they were saying about me. "Where did this news come from? And who is spreading false information?"I bit my lip so hard when I remembered Miguel. I had no plans to deny our relationship but I couldn't help but worry for him when I also remembered what Miguel said last night. I don't want his life to be in danger just because of me. For now, I'll try my best to keep our relationship. It was too early for the public to know about us.I looked at my phone when a series of messages arrived. My heart beat faster when I saw Daddy's name calling me on the screen. Everyo
I looked at Alexander’s parents who were stopping their son from hitting Miguel when he saw me.“You’ve never contributed anything good to this family!” Cecile was furious. She stood up and walked towards me. “You’re nothing but a disgrace! You’re even embarrassing Alexander’s family!”“Shut up, Cecile!” Daddy folded his hands. He couldn’t look at me because his eyes were on Miguel. “It’s not right if we scold your sister. We need to calm down and listen to her complaints about the news circulating in the media that she and Miguel are in a relationship!”“If I’m flirty, this kid outside is even flirtier!” Cecile stormed back to her seat next to Mommy.Cristy gave me my own chair and placed it in front of me. I carefully put down my bag before looking at them. I closed my eyes for a few seconds after glancing at Miguel.“Miguel has already told us about you, hija. We also want to hear from you if there is any truth to all the things he confessed to us.” Daddy’s voice calmed down.I was
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
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