Dominic’s POVI had reviewed the statement that was to be released, and while it seemed fine, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might not be enough. Knowing the Sullivan family personally, I knew how easily something like this could make their blood boil. I had met Denver Sullivan before through my father, and I knew what he was capable of when his pride was at stake. This wasn’t just a business matter—it was personal for him.I couldn’t stop thinking about Sofia. I wasn’t sure what was going on in her life, but I knew that if this issue escalated, she might bear the brunt of the blame for not handling it better. The pressure was building, and I feared the worst.I stood up from my desk, intending to go to her office to check on her, but before I could take a step, the clerk stopped me."Attorney Montague," she said, "Mrs. Romano is in the boardroom with Mr. Sullivan right now."A knot tightened in my stomach. I quickly made my way toward the boardroom, my curiosity piqued. As I ap
Sofia’s POV“We truly appreciate your hard work in preventing the issue from escalating, Sofia. We simply can’t afford to let Mr. Sullivan take this to court. If they decide to withdraw the funding for the new campus building, that’s acceptable; we have emergency funds set aside for situations like this. Besides, I’m confident that Gabriel will successfully secure the deal with Mr. Merendez in California, which will allow us to expand Romano University there,” Dad Hector said, his tone steady and confident. Today was a day off, and Gabriel’s parents had kindly invited me to dinner with my parents.“Thanks, Dad,” I answered quietly, my attention absorbed by the pasta I had ordered, trying to hide the mix of relief and nervousness I felt.“I’m glad to see you’re starting to get your bearings, Sofia. Working at Romano University is a solid first step for you to get a sense of the corporate world. It’ll prepare you for bigger responsibilities in the future. Eventually, you’ll be running t
Dominic’s POV"After completing her college education, she has maintained a notably private life. The only insights available about her are through her social media presence, which primarily features videos and posts showcasing her passion for dance. However, it’s worth noting that her account has remained inactive for the past three weeks, which is unusual given her previous regular updates. Another significant detail is her marriage to Gabriel Romano on February 21, 2020, which took place just before her graduation. Beyond this, very little is known about her personal life or activities since then."That was the only information Jace, my private investigator, gave me.“Thanks, Jace!” I said before ending the call.I couldn’t help but start overthinking after what Jace told me. February 21, 2020—she got married that day, which felt a little strange. And then, her social media going silent for exactly three weeks, right around the time she started working at Romano University? It migh
Dominic’s POVSofia was so caught up in the moment at the party, her laughter and joy so infectious, that she didn’t even realize how much she had drunk. It was the first time I had seen her so carefree, so unburdened—genuinely happy—since we’d reconnected after five long years. In those years, I’d watched her carry the weight of responsibilities, the stress of life pressing down on her. But tonight, she seemed to shed all of that, glowing with freedom, even if it was just for a few hours. But she had drunk too much and passed out.Now, I was stuck, unsure of what to do next. I just couldn’t take Sofia home in that state. I didn’t want to get into any trouble, and I didn’t want the people at her house—the guard, the nanny, anyone—to think negatively about her. So, I decided to bring her to my place instead. I gently helped her into the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt as carefully as I could.As I started driving to my condo, I occasionally glanced over at her, checking on her fa
Sofia’s POVI woke up with a heavy dizziness, the kind that made my head spin the moment I opened my eyes. The familiar wave of nausea followed, and I barely kept myself from throwing up. As my vision cleared, I realized I wasn’t in my own bed, but in an unfamiliar room, with walls I couldn’t place. Panic surged through me as I stood too quickly, my legs unsteady, heart racing. I instinctively looked down at myself—still wearing the same clothes from last night. My mind scrambled, trying to pull together the hazy fragments of what had happened. The last thing I could remember clearly was the party and I was with Dominic, the laughter, the music, but everything after that was a blur. What had I done? How did I end up here?I quickly got up from the bed and noticed my heels on the floor. Without thinking, I grabbed them and hurriedly made my way out of the room. As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I froze. Dominic stood right in front of me, and I almost lost my breath at the sight o
Gabriel’s POVI gazed into Stela’s eyes, her fingers tracing the contours of my chest. The city lights outside cast a dim glow over the room, and the soft hum of the air conditioner created a soothing background noise. We lay tangled in the hotel sheets, our bodies warm and entwined.Her voice was husky as she whispered, "You're so bad, Gabriel. You're a married man." I smiled, pulling her closer, my lips brushing against her ear. "I'm not yours to judge," I whispered back, my tone low and playful. "Besides, I'm not the one who's complaining."Stela’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me deeper into the moment. Her skin was soft and warm, and I felt a rush of desire as I pulled her closer. I felt no guilt, no remorse. Only the thrill of being with someone new, and the excitement of exploring the unknown.As we moved together, the world outside seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of us, lost in the heat of the moment. I knew it was a risk,
Sofia’s POVThe car jerked forward as we crawled through another stretch of Manila traffic. I glanced at my watch—barely eight in the morning, but I already felt exhausted.Beside me, Dominic drove with his usual calm, one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on the gear shift. He looked completely unbothered, as if we weren’t on our way to defend the university in a labor case that had the potential to spiral into a PR nightmare.He had offered me a ride to the NLRC, and I accepted—not because I needed one, but because working on this case had somehow made us more familiar with each other. Lately, we’d been seeing each other almost every day, either preparing for the hearing or handling the legal paperwork for the university’s new building project. I can say we grew closer after he invited me to the party. There’s something about him that puts me at ease, making me trust him more than anyone else, despite the short time we’ve known each other.I let out a slow breath, pressing
Gabriel’s POV“Thank you for the great presentation, Mr. Romano. I’m beyond impressed. Our team is excited to work with you,” Mr. Merendez said, and I felt a rush of excitement flood through me.“Thank you so much, Mr. Merendez. Our legal team has already drafted the preliminary agreement for you,” I responded, my mind focused on the next steps, eager to move forward.“Good, I’ll have my legal team review it,” he said, his voice steady and commanding. “But understand this: I’m not just financing a university expansion. I’m investing in a brand, in a legacy. Romano University has name recognition, but in the U.S. market, you’ll need me to truly make an impact.”His words landed heavy, a reminder of the stakes we were playing for. This wasn’t just about numbers and agreements—it was about carving out a place in the competitive U.S. market, about making sure Romano University didn’t just survive, but thrived in a new environment. The weight of his offer wasn’t lost on me.“We’ll make sur
Sofia’s POV The late afternoon light cast a golden hue over the estate as I stood by the window, absently tracing patterns on the glass. Outside, Dominic stood near the driveway, his stance firm yet composed, as if waiting for something—or someone. Then she arrived. Marielli. The moment she stepped out of the sleek black car, a shiver ran down my spine. It wasn’t just recognition; it was memory. She wasn’t just any visitor. She was the visitor. The woman who always came to see Dominic while he worked at Romano University. The same woman who had been by his side all those years ago, back in college, when I used to see them together—laughing, talking, always impossibly close. I hadn’t remembered her before, but now, with my memories piecing themselves back together, it all came rushing back. She was always there. I watched as Dominic greeted her, his expression unreadable, yet there was an ease in the way he spoke to her, a familiarity that settled deep in my chest like
Sofia’s POV Since this morning, I hadn’t been able to talk to Dominic. Now that it was already afternoon, I realized I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of him. He had been locked away in the study the entire time, completely consumed by his work. I thought about checking on him, even just for a moment, but the door remained shut. Martha told me he was always like this whenever he was focused on something—distant, unreachable. Instead of dwelling on it, I decided to go to the farm and ride a horse for a while. A quiet ride through the fields seemed like the perfect way to clear my mind. When I started feeling hungry, I decided to head back to the mansion. Maybe Dominic was done with his work, and we could finally eat together. As I stepped inside, I found him in the living room, watching the news. The moment he noticed me, he grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. “Where have you been?” he asked, his eyes scanning me as if checking if I had gone somewhere I shouldn’t have.
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 POV 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 pla
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