Sofia’s POV The Montague mansion was unlike anything I had ever seen—elegant, vast, and steeped in quiet authority. Every inch of it screamed wealth and power, from the grand chandeliers casting golden light over polished marble floors to the intricate carvings on the mahogany walls. It was the kind of place designed to impress and intimidate at the same time. With Dominic gone, I had nothing to do but wander. My footsteps echoed softly as I moved through the endless hallways, my fingers grazing the smooth wood of the banisters and the cold stone pillars that lined the corridors. The scent of aged books and fresh flowers mixed in the air, giving the place an odd contrast—timeless yet alive. I passed by rooms with tall windows draped in velvet curtains, libraries filled with leather-bound books, and parlors decorated with antique furniture that looked like they belonged in a museum. Every detail was carefully curated, every piece undoubtedly expensive. This wasn’t just a house—it
Dominic’s POV The scent of something warm and rich filled the air the moment I stepped into the mansion. It wasn’t the usual gourmet meals the chefs prepared—this was different. Heartier. Almost comforting. I hadn’t expected this. After spending days in Manila, taking care of everything for our plan, I was exhausted. I had officially resigned from Romano University, cutting my last tie to that place. There was nothing left for me there, and honestly, I felt relieved. Now, all I wanted was a shower and maybe some sleep. But instead, I found myself following the scent down the hallway. And that’s when I saw her. Sofia. She stood at the counter, her sleeves rolled up, an apron tied around her waist. Steam rose from a pot on the stove, and beside her, Martha was kneading dough. A wooden board filled with chopped potatoes, cabbage, and beans sat nearby. For a moment, I just watched. She looked… different. There was a lightness in her expression, something I hadn’t seen in
The quiet hum of the study wrapped around us like a heavy blanket, thick with the weight of unspoken truths. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with neatly arranged law books—Dominic’s world, his sanctuary. But right now, it felt like an interrogation room. And I was finally ready to confess. “You asked me to tell you everything,” I murmured, my fingers gripping the armrest of the chair. Dominic nodded, his dark eyes fixed on me. “No more secrets, Sofia.” I exhaled slowly. “It happened five years ago. The day I lost everything.” He leaned forward slightly, silent but demanding, waiting for me to continue. “I was supposed to meet someone that day,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. “I had just finished cheer practice, and I was running late. I rushed through everything—my shower, my drive—because I didn’t want to miss that meeting.” I swallowed, gripping my hands together to keep them from trembling. “And then… everything went wrong.” The memory played out like
Sofia’s POV Dominic’s voice softened, but the steel beneath it remained. “Sofia, this isn’t just about nullifying your marriage anymore. This is about justice.” I met his gaze, and for the first time in years, I felt something other than fear. I felt rage. And I wanted the truth. Dominic leaned back, his expression grim. “That night at Romano University… I saw something that didn’t sit right with me.” A cold dread coiled in my stomach. “What did you see?” He exhaled slowly, as if weighing every word. “Brake fluid. A small puddle near where your car was parked. At first, I thought it was just an oil leak from another vehicle, but then I noticed something else—a piece of tubing, cut cleanly, lying nearby.” Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. I clenched my hands together, my mind racing. “You think my brakes were tampered with?” Dominic’s jaw tightened. “It’s too much of a coincidence. Someone wanted you dead that night. If I had gotten to you a few m
Sofia's POVIt’s 5 PM, and cheerleading practice has just ended. A wave of nervousness washes over me as I realize how little time I have before my 6 PM meeting with Dominic. I can feel the excitement building inside me, but the pressure of possibly being late makes it hard to focus. I rush to the shower, scrubbing away the sweat of practice as quickly as I can, the sound of water almost drowned out by my thoughts of him. The rush of adrenaline, the thrill of being near him again, fills my every sense, but the minutes are slipping away too fast. After getting dressed in a hurry, I jump into my car, my heart racing—not just with anticipation, but with the constant fear of running late. The road stretches out before me, endless and unfamiliar, but I can’t help but smile at the thought of being with him. I’m almost there.And yet, in the blink of an eye, everything shifts. As I’m driving, my heart pounding in rhythm with the beating of my thoughts, a sudden jolt shakes me from my daydrea
Sofia's POV5 Years laterI lose myself in the rhythm of the music, every beat syncing with the pulse of my body as I dance in front of the mirror in my studio. The camera is rolling, capturing every movement, every expression, as I create content for my social media. It’s more than just a routine; it’s a way to share a piece of myself, even if the world out there doesn’t know the whole story. After five years of living with the void of forgotten memories, dancing is the one thing that keeps me anchored. It’s the only thing that has consistently felt like mine, the only thing that makes sense.I can’t remember my past. One day, I woke up in a hospital bed, my mind a blur, and the face of my husband was the first thing I saw. Everything changed after that accident—everything I knew, everything I was, disappeared. But there’s always been this unsettling feeling, like a shadow in my life, telling me that something isn’t quite right. Yet, dancing—dancing is the one thing that has stayed w
Sofia's POVMy body aches so much that I can barely stand due to the injuries I sustained from Gab last night. I'm here in our room, and the doctor he called to observe my condition just left. I was lying weakly on our bed when he came out of the bathroom after showering. He showed no expression when he saw me awake, only heading to his closet to pick something to wear for the office.I remained silent, staring at the ceiling, until he finished getting dressed and was ready to leave. He pulled several thousand pesos from his wallet and placed it on the bed."Get some rest, and if you need anything or want to buy something, use the money," The words feel hollow, like an afterthought, as if he’s already forgotten the chaos of last night. As if the pain I’m in doesn’t matter. Without waiting for a response, without even glancing at me again, he turns and leaves, the door clicking shut behind him, leaving me alone in the deafening silence of the room.As soon as the door clicked shut behin
Dominic's POVToday marks my contract signing with Romano University, a place that holds a special meaning for me. I was once a scholar here, studying Political Science, and it’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since I left Manila. A lot has changed since then.After discovering my real father, he took me from the orphanage where I had been living, and from there, my life took a new direction. I moved to Bataan to continue my Law School journey, and last year, I was fortunate enough to be ranked 8th in the bar exam. Though I’ve only been practicing law for less than a year, I’ve already had the privilege of winning multiple cases, including corporate, land, and annulment cases.Romano University has offered me a role in their legal department, as well as a position as faculty in the Law School. The offer is competitive, but truthfully, the reason I accepted isn’t just for the opportunity it presents—it’s also a chance to return to Manila. I’ve been practicing law privately,
Sofia’s POV Dominic’s voice softened, but the steel beneath it remained. “Sofia, this isn’t just about nullifying your marriage anymore. This is about justice.” I met his gaze, and for the first time in years, I felt something other than fear. I felt rage. And I wanted the truth. Dominic leaned back, his expression grim. “That night at Romano University… I saw something that didn’t sit right with me.” A cold dread coiled in my stomach. “What did you see?” He exhaled slowly, as if weighing every word. “Brake fluid. A small puddle near where your car was parked. At first, I thought it was just an oil leak from another vehicle, but then I noticed something else—a piece of tubing, cut cleanly, lying nearby.” Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. I clenched my hands together, my mind racing. “You think my brakes were tampered with?” Dominic’s jaw tightened. “It’s too much of a coincidence. Someone wanted you dead that night. If I had gotten to you a few m
The quiet hum of the study wrapped around us like a heavy blanket, thick with the weight of unspoken truths. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with neatly arranged law books—Dominic’s world, his sanctuary. But right now, it felt like an interrogation room. And I was finally ready to confess. “You asked me to tell you everything,” I murmured, my fingers gripping the armrest of the chair. Dominic nodded, his dark eyes fixed on me. “No more secrets, Sofia.” I exhaled slowly. “It happened five years ago. The day I lost everything.” He leaned forward slightly, silent but demanding, waiting for me to continue. “I was supposed to meet someone that day,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. “I had just finished cheer practice, and I was running late. I rushed through everything—my shower, my drive—because I didn’t want to miss that meeting.” I swallowed, gripping my hands together to keep them from trembling. “And then… everything went wrong.” The memory played out like
Dominic’s POV The scent of something warm and rich filled the air the moment I stepped into the mansion. It wasn’t the usual gourmet meals the chefs prepared—this was different. Heartier. Almost comforting. I hadn’t expected this. After spending days in Manila, taking care of everything for our plan, I was exhausted. I had officially resigned from Romano University, cutting my last tie to that place. There was nothing left for me there, and honestly, I felt relieved. Now, all I wanted was a shower and maybe some sleep. But instead, I found myself following the scent down the hallway. And that’s when I saw her. Sofia. She stood at the counter, her sleeves rolled up, an apron tied around her waist. Steam rose from a pot on the stove, and beside her, Martha was kneading dough. A wooden board filled with chopped potatoes, cabbage, and beans sat nearby. For a moment, I just watched. She looked… different. There was a lightness in her expression, something I hadn’t seen in
Sofia’s POV The Montague mansion was unlike anything I had ever seen—elegant, vast, and steeped in quiet authority. Every inch of it screamed wealth and power, from the grand chandeliers casting golden light over polished marble floors to the intricate carvings on the mahogany walls. It was the kind of place designed to impress and intimidate at the same time. With Dominic gone, I had nothing to do but wander. My footsteps echoed softly as I moved through the endless hallways, my fingers grazing the smooth wood of the banisters and the cold stone pillars that lined the corridors. The scent of aged books and fresh flowers mixed in the air, giving the place an odd contrast—timeless yet alive. I passed by rooms with tall windows draped in velvet curtains, libraries filled with leather-bound books, and parlors decorated with antique furniture that looked like they belonged in a museum. Every detail was carefully curated, every piece undoubtedly expensive. This wasn’t just a house—it
Gabriel’s POVI stared at the DNA results in my hands, the paper crumpling beneath my tightening grip. The letters blurred before me, but I didn’t need to read them again. I already knew what they said.Sofia was gone.A hollow laugh escaped my lips. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. This was Sofia. She was stubborn, reckless—she wouldn’t just die like that.But the proof was right in front of me. A cold, unchangeable fact.My chest ached, but it wasn’t just grief—it was something deeper, something I refused to acknowledge before. Guilt.I was never the husband she needed. Never the man she deserved. I stole her dreams and crushed them beneath the weight of my own expectations. I silenced her protests, dismissed her pain, convinced myself that I knew what was best for her—even when she was begging me to listen.And now, there is only silence.I see it all now, as if every memory has sharpened in her absence. The way her smile faded, piece by piece, like a painting losing its color. Th
Dominic’s POVThe drive back to Manila was long, but I barely noticed the hours slipping by. My mind was too occupied, running through every loose end I had to tie up.Gabriel would be looking for answers.The police would be reviewing the case.And somewhere in the middle of it all, I had to make sure no one ever questioned what happened to Sofia Romano.By the time I reached the city, the sun was setting, casting an eerie glow over the skyline. I parked a few blocks away from my destination—a bar near the docks where I knew I’d find the man I needed to see.Inside, the stench of alcohol and sweat clung to the air. I spotted him immediately—Carlos, one of the men I’d paid to handle the body switch. He was sitting in a booth, a duffel bag resting on the seat beside him.I slid into the seat across from him. He tensed but didn’t hesitate to push the bag toward me.“Everything you asked for,” he said, his voice low.I unzipped the bag just enough to catch a glimpse of the contents—flash
Dominic’s POVI sat in the living room, hunched over with my elbows resting on my knees, staring at nothing. The sunlight spilled across the marble floor, golden and warm, but I barely noticed. I was drinking alcohol instead of coffee in the morning, the scent mingling with the salty ocean breeze drifting through the open balcony doors.All I could hear were her words from last night.“I hate my marriage. I hate the life I’ve been forced to live.”My jaw tightened. I had always known—always felt—that something was wrong. The way she moved, the way she smiled without it ever reaching her eyes. But hearing her say it? That made it real.“He controls everything—who I see, where I go.”I let out a slow breath, running a hand through my hair. I had seen it. The way Gabriel stripped her freedom away, piece by piece, until there was nothing left but the perfect wife he wanted her to be.“And I was too afraid to fight back because I didn’t even know who I was anymore. But now I do.”That’s wh
Sofia’s POVThe air smelled like gasoline and burnt metal. From a distance, I could see the faint glow of flames licking at the wreckage—the car that was supposed to be mine.I watched in silence, my hands clenched at my sides. My body was here, hidden in the shadows, but my name was inside that burning car, disappearing into smoke.Dominic stood beside me, his presence steady, grounding. “It’s done,” he murmured.I didn’t respond. How was I supposed to feel? Relieved? Terrified? Free?The police would arrive soon. They’d find the body, charred beyond recognition. The news would spread. Gabriel would hear it. He’d believe I was dead.My heart pounded. I had spent years feeling trapped, suffocated in a marriage I never wanted. Now I was finally free—but it didn’t feel real yet. It felt like I was watching someone else’s life burn away.“We should go,” Dominic said.I turned away from the fire, my eyes stinging. Whether it was from the smoke or something deeper, I didn’t know.“Where?”
Sofia’s POV A dull, pounding ache throbbed at the back of my head as I drifted back to consciousness. My body felt strange—heavy, tense, like I had been asleep for too long. Then, like a dam breaking, the memories came crashing in. The accident. The screeching tires. The sharp turn. The impact that sent my car on the other side of the street. Five years ago. I gasped, my eyes flying open as the past slammed into me. I had been in a car accident. I lost my memories. And when I woke up from it… I was already married to Gabriel Romano. My breathing quickened. That marriage. I never consented to it. My fingers dug into the sheets as I forced myself to sit up, my heart racing with every revelation unraveling in my mind. The past I had forgotten, the life I had been forced into, the man I was told was my husband. Gabriel. I remembered him now. His control. His temper. The way he had claimed me as his wife when I had no recollection of ever saying ‘yes.’ I felt sick. A movement i