I woke up gasping for air, my chest rising and falling in panic. My vision was still blurry, my body trembling.“Caroline! Caroline!”I clutched my chest, rubbing my eyes as reality sank in. I’m alive. I’m not dead.Slowly, I sat up, but my breath hitched when I saw my feet—red marks, the imprint of a hand that had tried to drag me under the water. My stomach twisted. Someone had tried to drown me.My thoughts scattered when I felt strong arms around me. For a moment, I just let the warmth seep into my cold body. But when I pulled back to see who had saved me, I froze.Miguel.He was staring at me, his brows furrowed, his jaw tight. Around us, a crowd had gathered, murmuring. I barely registered them.Before I could say anything, Miguel suddenly scooped me up in his arms. I gasped, but I didn’t fight him. Maybe it was the shock, maybe it was the exhaustion, but I just let him carry me to safety.My head rested lightly against his chest, and that’s when I felt it—his heartbeat. Strong.
I sat on the bed, running my fingers over the soft fabric of the oversized shirt I borrowed. Miguel was still in the shower. The sound of rushing water filled the silence of the room.My gaze landed on his phone when it vibrated on the table. I leaned in, curiosity getting the better of me. My chest tightened when I saw the caller ID.“Love.”My throat felt dry. My fingers hovered over the screen before I pulled back. I didn’t answer. I didn’t have the right to. I placed the phone back and quickly turned away when I heard the shower turn off.Miguel stepped out, rubbing a towel through his damp hair. “Are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost.”I hugged myself, feeling the cold air from the open window. Maybe I did.His sharp gaze softened as he took in my posture. “Are you comfortable in what you’re wearing?”I nodded. I wasn’t cold because of the clothes. I was cold because of something else—something I refused to name.My eyes flickered back to his phone. That name. That one word
I woke up to find Miguel no longer by my side. I had no idea what time I had fallen asleep last night. My eyes landed on his belongings—they were still there. I got out of bed and tidied them up before stepping out of my room.When I entered the bathroom, I walked straight to the large mirror and examined my reflection. My eyes were swollen. Good thing he didn’t notice me crying last night.A sharp gasp escaped my lips as Miguel’s words suddenly replayed in my mind. He’s getting married to someone else. He once wanted to marry me, yet now he was going to do it with another woman. I bit my lip hard as another wave of pain surged through my chest. The ache was sharp, stabbing, relentless.I opened the car window to get some fresh air, hoping it would ease my heavy heart. But as soon as I spotted Miguel outside, I quickly shut it again. He wasn’t alone.A woman stood beside him. His arms were wrapped around her waist.I forced my gaze away when I heard a knock on my door. I quickly went
Monica looked at us in surprise. I forced a smile as I removed Seb’s hand from my waist.Miguel coughed, drawing my attention back to him. “Let’s go, Mon. They’re on a date. Let them be,” Miguel said coldly. He smiled and pulled Monica away.“Enjoy! We’re going somewhere!” Monica called after him while waving at us.“Is she really your friend, or—”“Shut up! If you hadn’t treated me to a meal, I might have punched you,” I said irritably, then sat down to continue eating.Seb just laughed at me. He kept looking at me while we ate. He would stare at me and then laugh. I thanked him and managed to stop myself from kicking him under the table, even though I had been feeling a little nervous earlier.After we ate, Seb invited me to the island bar. He said he wanted to drink. I agreed to go with him, but I had no intention of drinking.We walked to the bar he mentioned, which was close to where we had eaten.“Are you really not going to drink?” Sebastian asked as we entered the bar.I cover
I woke up with my hands and feet tied. My mouth was covered. My eyes widened when I saw Seb—his hands and feet bound as well.I scanned the area. I had no idea where we were. The surroundings were filthy, smelly, and musty. The silence was deafening.My eyes snapped to the door when it suddenly opened. My heartbeat quickened as a man entered. He was wearing a mask.“I’m back, Caroline.”My eyes nearly popped out when he removed his mask and started taking off his clothes. I couldn’t recognize him—his entire body was covered in scars. A chill crawled down my spine as I took in his disfigured form.“I’m back, Anastasia!” He violently yanked off the cloth covering my mouth.“Ken?” I gasped, my eyes still fixed on his body.“Did you miss me?” he asked, walking toward me. “Look at me! Look at my whole body! It’s burned—because of you!”I cried out as he grabbed a fistful of my hair. “Let us go!” I screamed.“Why would I let you go? You will be the key to my revenge against the person who d
Ken took a bucket of water and poured it over Sebastian. Seb slowly opened his eyes, blinking rapidly. His gaze darted to me—tied up, just like him.“Caroline!” he called out, struggling against his restraints. Then, his eyes landed on Ken. “W-Who are you? Where did you take us?!”“Secret,” Ken replied in a mocking tone.“Let us go! If I escape, I’ll kill you!” Sebastian shouted.“That is—if you make it out alive,” Ken sneered before delivering a sharp kick to Seb’s face.“Ken! Just let him go! I’m the only one you need!” I pleaded, thrashing against my restraints.Ken wasn’t satisfied. He punched Seb repeatedly, landing blows all over his body. My voice grew hoarse from screaming, but he acted as if he didn’t hear me.One of Ken’s men handed him a cigarette and a lighter. He took a long drag before blowing smoke into Seb’s face. Seb panted, trying to catch his breath.“Still no sign of him?” Ken asked the guards outside.“Not yet, Boss. Looks like that guy has no intention of coming,
Miguel sat on the ground, one hand restrained behind his back. He tried to stand, but Ken struck him again with the stick.“I’ll make sure you die today!” Ken roared.His men joined in, mercilessly beating Miguel. Ken delivered brutal kicks and punches before they tied Miguel to a large tree. They covered his head with a sack and continued the assault, hitting him relentlessly.I could do nothing but watch in horror, screaming and sobbing. My throat was raw, my voice hoarse.Ken laughed like a demon as he finally ripped the sack off Miguel’s head. Then, without warning, he untied him and violently dragged him into the old house where Seb was being held.---I woke up to the harsh sting of sunlight against my face. I hadn’t even realized I had fallen asleep. Instinctively, I tried to move my hands, but they remained bound. The ropes were too tight.“My Disney princess is awake,” Ken’s voice greeted me. He knelt in front of me, stroking my cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”My eyes locked on
“Why would their families blame me?” I asked, my voice trembling.Dad’s jaw tightened. “Because none of this would have happened if not for you, Caroline! Ken Salazar wanted to take you, and because of that, their lives were put in danger! If Miguel Damien Montevallo is dead—” his voice faltered, but then he pushed forward, “do you think the Mercedez and the Montevallo families will let us live? After losing their sons?”“No, Dad. Miguel is not dead! He’s still alive, and he needs our help!” I cried out, my chest tightening.Dad exhaled sharply. “We need to leave, Caroline. You’re leaving the country. Right now.”“I don’t understand! Why do I have to leave? If they’re going to blame me, then I’ll talk to them!”Dad’s grip on my arm tightened. I glanced at his men—they weren’t trying to put out the fire, nor were they attempting to rescue Miguel. They were surrounding us instead, as if preparing for an escape.“Let’s go,” Dad commanded. He took off his jacket and draped it over my shou
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