Chapter 5

"Got any updates?" Charles tapped his foot impatiently.

"Sorry, Sir. Checked everywhere, but no luck," Roy replied.

Charles dropped his pen, glaring at Roy. "Isn't there another way to find her and get her back?"

Roy sighed, knowing Charles was running out of patience fast. Charles was determined to bring Stella back to the house before his grandfather showed up.

"Get out!" Charles yelled again as Roy struggled to answer.

Days slipped by, and Charles remained unable to reach Stella. What frustrated him most was her failure to fulfill their agreement. She'd taken the money but hadn't shown up as agreed to meet Ramon, a condition for their divorce to seem smooth and untangled.

Charles pondered deeply, wondering where Stella might have found shelter. He wished he knew more about her family or where she might have fled to.

'Why am I fretting over her? The guy she's with is probably loaded, so she won't be destitute,' he reasoned with himself.

'But you can't be certain that man in the photo is her lover,' a voice inside him countered.

Charles sighed heavily, frustrated by his conflicting thoughts. He ran his hands over his face, recalling the mix of emotions on Stella's face—sorrow, happiness, and acceptance.

"I love you. Please, let me show you that I married you because I love you," she had pleaded.

Charles clenched his fist on the table, remembering Stella's plea. He couldn't bring himself to believe her claim of love. To him, she had married him for the old man's wealth, taking advantage of his grandfather's kindness.

When Charles first met Stella, he admired her caring nature. She had been Ramon's nurse and often accompanied him to the hospital. Despite Charles having a girlfriend at the time, Stella had the audacity to ask Ramon to choose her as his bride. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Sir, Ms. Anderson is here," his secretary announced.

He nodded at the secretary. He needed a distraction, and Elizabeth came to mind.

"Babe, I miss you!" Elizabeth exclaimed, sliding onto his lap and kissing him eagerly.

Charles allowed her kiss initially, but Stella's sorrowful expression flashed in his mind when Elizabeth intensified the kiss.

"Why?" Elizabeth asked, puzzled, as Charles abruptly withdrew.

"I'm busy. What do you need?"

Elizabeth frowned at his sudden change in demeanor. She had expected him to have more time for her now that Stella was gone, but it seemed the opposite was true.

"My grandfather's coming the day after tomorrow. Stay away from the house, and he can't find out you're here."

Elizabeth scowled, pushing herself off his lap in frustration. Ramon had always stood between them. She'd felt a spark of joy when he fell ill, thinking their obstacle was fading, but his recovery dashed her hopes.

"I haven't found Stella yet, and I don't want Grandpa blaming you for our split."

Elizabeth smiled, comforted by his consideration. Despite their troubles, he still cared about her reputation with his grandfather. She came up behind him, encircling her arms around his shoulders and resting her chin on the edge of his neck and shoulder. "He's not here yet, so we've got time," she whispered gently.

Charles shut his eyes, trying to let her allure him. Yet, to his disappointment, the spark that once ignited between them didn't flare up as it used to.

***

"Where's Stella?" Ramon asked as soon as he met his grandchildren at the airport.

Sophie glanced at Charles, unable to speak or take the lead.

"We'll discuss it at home, Grandpa," Charles replied, steering Ramon's wheelchair.

Ramon sensed something amiss, especially with Sophie's uncharacteristic silence. It was strange that only the two of them had come, and Magda's absence added to his unease. "I'd like to have a meal with Stella," he insisted, his tone resolute. "Let's head straight to your place."

Charles motioned for the driver to comply with Ramon's request. He had arranged for their doctor to be present, prepared for any potential rise in Ramon's blood pressure upon hearing about his and Stella's separation.

Sophie felt a pang of hurt, perceiving that Ramon only longed for Stella's presence. This deepened her resentment toward Stella, who seemed to have replaced her as Ramon's favored grandchild.

Upon arriving at the house, Ramon entered with a smile. It was his first visit since the couple had moved in, having been abroad. However, his smile faltered when he was greeted by Marimar instead of Stella. Sensing something amiss, he remained composed.

"Grandpa, just take a break," Charles urged, gently pushing his wheelchair.

"No, I want the truth!" Ramon insisted, his eyes fixed on Charles.

Charles sighed, guiding Ramon into the living room to assess his condition.

"Grandpa, it's not Charles' fault they split up. We've got proof she was seeing someone else!" Sophie blurted out before Charles could respond. Ramon shot her a sharp look, and she quickly fell silent, lowering her head.

Ramon clenched his jaw, waiting for an explanation, refusing to believe what he'd heard.

"Grandpa, it's been three years. You know one of our conditions," Charles began.

Ramon stayed quiet, but he was really trying to keep himself together. He couldn't afford to look weak, especially with his grandkids counting on him to be strong. Charles was right; they had agreed to be married for three years. But Ramon had hoped Stella would get pregnant, especially now that they had their own place. He also wanted Charles to start liking Stella more, so they wouldn't end up breaking apart.

"I'm sorry I didn't wait for you. I made sure she wouldn't suffer even after we split," Charles said.

"Did you give her this house?"

Charles was surprised by Ramon's calm question. He nodded in response.

"And she hasn't been here since your divorce, right?"

"I've been trying to find her so you can talk to her too," Charles replied.

Ramon smirked and shook his head. "Don't count on finding her or for her to live in this house."

Charles froze at Ramon's words, feeling as if he had been struck in the chest. The idea of never seeing Stella again hit him harder than he thought it would.

"I want to rest," Ramon signaled his nurse to push his wheelchair.

Sophie stood there, wide-eyed, watching Ramon leave. She had expected him to explode or even physically confront Charles. When she looked at Charles, she saw he was just as shocked by Ramon's reaction.

After a few moments, Charles turned to the doctor. "Please check on my grandfather's health."

The doctor nodded silently and followed Ramon to his room.