Everyone was looking at him as he raised the paddle. I grabbed a tissue and wiped myself.“Miguel?” Alexander said when he realized who was next to me.“We have an opening bid of 500,000 pesos. Do I hear 600,000 pesos?” the Auctioneer asked.“600,000,” Alexander said and raised his paddle while still looking at Miguel.“600,000 from Mr. Mercedez -”“One million.” Miguel raised his paddle.I didn’t know how to react. Why was he wasting money on an old painting?My gaze dropped to the name on his table. “Miguel Damien Montevallo...” I turned back to Alexander as he raised his paddle again.“Two million!”I saw Miguel grin before he looked at us. I swallowed a few times. He had changed so much. It wasn’t obvious that he was a bodyguard.“Look at him, Caroline. He was so quick to find someone to replace you. The idiot hit the jackpot, it looks like a Sugar Mommy replaced you,” Alexander said laughing.“Shut up!” I scolded him irritably.“Is there anyone else competing for two million?” th
Our jaws dropped in shock. I couldn't take my eyes off Miguel.“H-He’s your son?” Tita Portia stammered, pointing at Miguel in disbelief. “How could you have a child, Don Ernesto? You don’t even have a wife!”Don Ernesto merely chuckled. “Portia, my wife and I have been separated for a long time. The media only knows what I allow them to—an old bachelor with no family. But let’s not talk about that now. I’m just happy to see you again.”She turned to Miguel. “Hijo, you didn’t tell me you knew them.”Miguel’s expression remained unreadable. “I didn’t know you knew each other, Dad.”Tito Rafael and Tita Portia still looked stunned, their eyes flickering between Miguel and Don Ernesto.“If you don’t mind, we’ll take our leave,” Don Ernesto said smoothly.We watched them walk away, disappearing into the crowd. My mind was still reeling when my phone vibrated. Seeing Daddy’s name on the screen, I sighed and answered.“How’s the auction?” he asked.“Boring,” I replied lazily. “It just ended
I quickly stepped away from Miguel, turning my back on him. But before I could leave, his firm grip caught my arm.I gulped when I heard the sharp tearing of fabric.My eyes widened in shock as I turned to see what he had done—Miguel had torn my gown. He had ripped away the excess fabric, leaving it cut above my knees, turning it into a makeshift dress.“What the hell are you doing?” I hissed.He ignored me and turned to the woman. “Give me the check,” he ordered, his voice cold and demanding.The woman raised an eyebrow before smugly tucking the check I had given her into her bra.Miguel’s jaw clenched. “Are you giving it back, or should I take it myself?”I gasped. “Miguel, stop! I gave it to her! I don’t want it back.”But he didn’t listen. He took a step toward the woman, his intimidating presence making her flinch.“I dare you,” she sneered. “Try it, and I’ll have the police on you in seconds.”I felt the weight of a hundred eyes on us. People had their phones out, capturing ever
The moment I arrived at the office, I wasted no time.“Lena, send Daddy's personal assistant, Miss Melani Angcahan, to my office,” I ordered.I busied myself with accounting reports while waiting, but my mind kept drifting. Who was this mysterious investor?The door opened moments later, and Lena walked in with Miss Lani.“Good morning, Ma’am.” Miss Lani greeted me with her usual professional smile and handed me the tablet she was holding. “Here are the meeting schedules for our two new investors. The first meeting starts at nine, and the second is after lunch.”I took the tablet and scrolled through it absentmindedly. Greensmith Innovations? My brows furrowed. “A tech company focused on sustainable solutions? I’ve never heard of it before.”“It's new here in the Philippines,” Miss Lani explained. “Owned by a Filipino-British businessman. Based on the reviews I’ve read, their services are excellent—clean business dealings, no controversies.”“Hmm,” I muttered, still not convinced.Cur
“He’s an investor?” Nico let out a mocking laugh. “Are you joking? He’s a body—”“Nico,” I cut him off sharply, my heart pounding. “This is Miguel Damien Montevallo. Does that name ring a bell?” I stood up and walked toward Miguel, subtly placing myself between the two men.Nico’s smirk wavered. “He’s a Montevallo?”I nodded. “Yes. And—” I turned to Miguel, keeping my tone professional. “Are you here to invest in our company?”But instead of answering, Miguel just kept his gaze locked onto Nico, his jaw clenched.Then he spoke.“Are you meeting or flirting?”His cold voice sent a shiver down my spine. I forced myself to stay composed, even as his words dug into me. Whatever he’s thinking right now, he’s wrong.I turned to Nico, keeping my voice firm. “I think we’re done here, Mr. Winston. If you’re serious about investing, contact us so we can prepare the contract.”Then I shifted my attention back to Miguel. “As for you, Mr. Montevallo, our meeting is scheduled for 1:30 PM. But if yo
The moment Miguel walked out, my phone rang.I gasped when I saw the caller ID. Daddy.I took a deep breath before answering. “Hello?”“Miguel just called me!” His voice was sharp, filled with urgency.I clenched my jaw. “Miguel De Castro is a Montevallo, Dad. Did you really not know he’s Don Ernesto’s son?”There was a pause. “What? He’s a Montevallo? How the hell did Don Ernesto end up with a son?”“I met him last night after the art auction,” I said, rubbing my temple. “Even Alexander’s family was caught off guard when he introduced himself as Don Ernesto’s only child.”“Does your mother know about this?”I stiffened. “She’s not my mother,” I corrected, my voice colder than I intended. “And you can be the one to tell her. If she finds out from me, she’ll just take it out on me.”Dad sighed heavily, but he didn’t argue. “What about the other investor? Have you spoken to Nico Winston?”“Yes. He said he’ll contact us once he’s made a decision.”“Good. I’ll call your mother. My flight
I arrived home as if nothing had happened.As if my world hadn’t just crumbled.I stepped into the shower, letting the water pour over me, hoping it would wash away the disgust clinging to my skin. But the moment I closed my eyes, I saw them again.The images wouldn’t stop playing in my head.Cecile. Alexander. Their moans. Their tangled bodies.I bit my lip, inhaling sharply. Maybe the videos were fake. Maybe they were edited.But something inside me whispered otherwise.I grabbed my phone from the bedside table, my fingers trembling as I opened the video again.I forced myself to watch.Every movement. Every sound.No. There were no signs of editing. It was real.Cecile wasn’t just in that bed with Alexander—she was enjoying it. Her moans, her desperate gasps, the way she responded to him… it wasn’t just a mistake. They wanted each other.A bitter laugh escaped my lips.I should’ve known. I should’ve felt it.My brother was right—he always said, “What’s yours is mine.” Was this his
I turned off the TV after hearing his answer.He moved on that fast?My grip tightened around the remote. It hadn’t even been a month since we broke up, and yet here he was, openly admitting to seeing someone. Did I really mean so little to him?My phone rang.I glanced at the screen—Mommy.I let it ring. Then, I declined the call. I wasn’t in the mood to hear any more excuses or justifications.The clock on the wall read past eight in the evening. I hadn’t even realized how quickly time had passed.I wasn’t going to sit around, drowning in my problems.Before going to bed, I booked a room at Isla Del Fuego. Tomorrow, I was leaving. I needed a break.---Welcome to Isla Del Fuego!The bright sign greeted me as I pulled my suitcase along the wooden pathway leading to the resort’s main area. The salty breeze kissed my skin, and the sun was shining brighter than I had anticipated. Damn it, I forgot to put on sunscreen before leaving the condo.“Good morning, Ma’am!” Two female staff memb
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