ANA’s POV.
“Ana, don’t you want to get out of here and get some fresh air?”When I saw Paris standing at the door of my room, I smiled at her.I’m uncertain how long I’ve been here at the hacienda since I found out the truth about our relationship.Since then, I’ve just locked myself in my room and haven’t talked to anyone except Paris and Martin. That’s why I feel like I’m becoming a burden to them, and they could not enjoy their honeymoon.I sighed and smiled at Paris. “I apologize for becoming a burden to you and Martin. Because of me, you can't have a honeymoon.” I said. I’m already ashamed of her for bothering them.I know her. Martin introduced her to me, but I had a feeling they were a couple because of their closeness. It’s embarrassing that I'm still an impediment to both of them.Because of what I said, Paris frowned. “Huh? Martin and I are not married and I’m her friend!” my eyes widened as she spoke, and I covered my mouth because of my nonsense.Paris laughed because she could tell I was embarrassed by what I was saying.“It’s okay. Many people have suspicions about us, but I swear we’re not married; I like someone else, and he likes someone else,” she said as she entered my room. I try not to look at her because I’m shy, she'll think I’m gossiping.Oh my goodness, Ana! What are you doing?Paris coughed to draw my attention, so I turned to face her. “Don’t you remember Martin?” she asked. Her question stunned me.That was one of her questions I couldn’t answer. Because I, too, don’t know the answer.Did Martin and I ever meet before? I don’t know because I don’t remember that I met him before. And there was a portrait of a woman who looked like me in the living room. I couldn’t ask Martin because I was embarrassed.I looked at Paris, but I just shook my head because I didn’t know what to say.She gave me a nod. “I don’t want to interfere but... Didn’t you try to remember?” she asked while staring at me. Paris seemed to wait for my answer.I sighed and looked out of my room's glass wall once again.“I’m trying, but all I get is a headache. I want to remember, so I can understand what happened to me, 5 years ago.” I shook my head. “Why am I here, and why is Martin with me instead of my husband?” I asked, and I was trying to smile at her.She sighed, and she came up to me. “Hmm… I would rather not lead Martin on, but I’m not the type to keep a secret.” She said, as I looked at her.“I’m uncertain, but isn’t your husband, Mateo Villalobos, a son of Levy?” asked Paris. I nodded to her, and she nodded back. “As far as I remember, when news came about what happened to Levy’s former daughter-in-law, it was also the year they won the election, and it was also the year model Chloe Cain was introduced as the new wife of his only child, Mateo Villalobos.” she said.The year they thought I died was also the year they proceeded with their wedding plans. Why is this happening to me? I’m uncertain how I can believe all the rumors. I don’t know how I should feel.“What happened to you was all over the news, and the car you were riding in lost the brakes,” said Paris. “Because of the heavy rain, and the car slipped and fell into the cliff, to attempting to kill you.” I was taken aback by what she said, and it was as if an image entered my mind that I don’t know.I closed my eyes tightly because my head hurt. And some images came to mind. I tried to remember or clarify what image had entered my mind, but it only made my head hurt more.“Ahh!” I shouted. My head hurts even more because so many images flash through my mind. I can’t hear Paris anymore.“Damn, Ana! I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have told you! Damn! What should I do? Should I call Martin? Damn! He’ll be mad!” I closed my eyes and held my head up. “Damn! Ana!”Please, stop!I closed my eyes even tighter, but I couldn’t shake the hazy images that were entering my mind. What was that? What are the images that I have seen? “Ahh!”I touched my head, which was so painful it felt like it was splitting.“Injection!”I just felt that I was lying on my bed and someone injected my arm. I was weak and my vision was blurry.“W-what happened to the two of us, Mateo?”***THIRD POV“Damn! What happened?” Martin yelled to Paris.Because Martin was so angry, Paris closed her eyes and didn’t know what to say. She also had no choice but to call the man, even though she knew Martin would be mad.“What happened to her?!” asked Martin.Paris bit her lower lip and noticed the maids entering the rooms because they had witnessed Martin’s anger. Paris turned to face Ana, who was unconscious.She inhaled deeply. “I-I’m sorry I told her about the accident, but I didn’t expect her reaction to be like that,” Paris apologized, adding that she was also annoyed with herself because Ana almost got hurt because of her nonsense.Martin frowned. “What did I tell you, Paris? You have nothing else to tell to Ana! You disobey me!” Martin yelled at her. Paris bit her lower lip again, and closed her eyes, knowing she was also guilty.‘Because you say a lot, Paris.’ she just pouted her lips and said nothing to Martin, who was still angry.“Calm down, bro.” Cole, one of their friends, was indeed calming Martin down. “This is a sign for Ana to remember everything,” said the doctor.Martin knows it is better to change Ana’s doctor because he does not trust the doctors who look for her. So, he called his friend to check on Ana’s condition.Martin calmed down and returning his gaze to Ana.“So… she has amnesia?” Asked Martin, which surprised his friends.Paris and Cole were both frowning. “What the f-ck, bro? Probably!” said Cole.“I was thinking…” Martin shook his head. “So, how is she?” asked Martin, and both of them breathed a sigh of relief.“That’s the sign that the memories she lost may return. You should prepare or tell Ana what really happened to her before she discovers the truth.” said Cole. Paris agrees with him because Ana needs to remember before doing what they’ve been planning for a long time.Cole sighed. “Don’t make her suffer. She’s already suffering too much; as far as I can tell, her strength is gradually returning, and it won’t be long before she’s going back to normal,” he said. Paris nodded to agree with Cole.“If you want your plans to succeed, you must wake up Ana from her nightmare.” said Paris. Martin glared at her, and she only pouted because she knew Martin was still mad at her.“We’re leaving first. Call us if you need anything.” Cole tapped Martin on the shoulder as they left Ana’s room.Martin sighed, and he thought about what he was going to do. He just stared at Ana and touched his lips before standing up and dialing to his phone.(“President?”)“Do as I say. Finish all the documents because I need them.”(“Yes, immediately, President.”)Martin hung up the phone and turned back to face her. “They are right. We must carry out my plans for you to exact revenge on them for what they did to you. I will not let them step on you again,” said Martin as he stroked Ana’s hair.He didn’t know Ana was already awake and only listening to him.‘What should I know what happened five years ago?’We left the hacienda and headed straight to Martin’s estate. Many people waved at us with big smiles on their faces. The gate was opened for us, and Martin's staff immediately bowed as the car entered. Alexis parked the car in front of the mansion. As we got out, our guests greeted us with excitement. “Welcome back, Max, Rio, Martin, and Ana!” Even Martin’s workers greeted us as we returned. I chuckled and hugged our friends, and Martin also greeted them, though his irritation with Paris was still evident. Paris, have a family, but she was still as noisy as ever. “Oh, they are all grown up!” She approached the children and hugged them. “Do they understand English?” I nodded, but I couldn’t help but laugh as they seemed puzzled by Paris. Paris’s child approached me, so I gave her some chocolates. Our children greeted their uncles and aunts by bowing, as they must have seen Martino do to their father. I noticed a young girl approaching Maximo. “Hi!” she greeted my son, blushing.
8 YEARS LATER… “We’re here…” I lifted my sleeping mask and squinted at the sunlight. “Oh,” I chuckled softly, feeling old especially with my three piglet-like kids in tow. “¿Dónde estamos, papá? (Where are we, dad?)” asked my middle child, Isaac Montecillo, the most mischievous of the three. “Ya estamos en Filipinas. ¿Estabas durmiendo otra vez, Isaac, cuando hablamos de venir aquí? (We’re already in the Philippines. Were you sleeping again, Isaac, when we talked about coming here?)” my eldest, Maximo Julian Montecillo, asked without much enthusiasm, engrossed in his book as usual. He takes after his father. Even his looks are a spitting image of him. Annoying! Wouldn’t it be better if he took after me, since he was the first one out? Martin's genes are strong! “¡Oye, no estoy durmiendo! ¿Y por qué vuelves a entrometerte en la conversación? ¡Solo lee tu libro! (Hey, I’m not sleeping! And why are you butting in the conversation again? Just read your book!)” They glared at each o
“First-degree attempted murder of Ana Bernardino, Mrs. Chloe Villalobos is found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment…” I closed my eyes and smiled when I heard those words. I tightly held Martin’s hand as we listened to the final verdict. Furthermore, I glanced at Chloe’s parents and saw them crying while embracing her. I then looked behind me where Mateo was seated. Even with a hat and a mask, I recognized his posture. He glanced at me but quickly looked away. I sighed and turned to Martin, giving him a smile. “And for Mrs. Caridad Villalobos, the charges are mounting: first-degree murder of Stella Montes, Tasing, Don Ignacio Montes, and Don Martinez, first-degree attempted murder of Ms. Ana Bernardino, and reckless imprudence. She is found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.” The crowd erupted in cheers as they continued to support my father in court upon hearing the verdict for Caridad. I smiled through tears, feeling the long-awaited justice finally
There was chaos in San Alfonso when a fire broke out in the entire town. Martin held on to his waist as he watched the Villalobos mansion burn, worrying about Ana. “Damn it!” he shouted and kicked the rock in front of him. The firefighters, police, and his cousin arrived. “You!” he immediately grabbed Tyron’s collar, who raised his hands. “Is this Ana’s plan? I know you’ve been secretly meeting for a plan! Damn you!” Tyron blocked his arm, thinking Martin was going to hit him. “Bro, this is not her plan, believe me. But she changed her mind quickly! She just ordered my men to burn Don Ignacio’s house and all the Villalobos' properties. This was not part of her plan, but I feel like she also wants everything to end. I apologize for keeping it from you because I’m more loyal to Ana, he-he,” Martin nudged Tyron, who stepped back but grinned. “They’re not here for Ana but for Caridad and Chloe,” they both turned to the police. “Mrs. Caridad Villalobos and Mrs. Chloe Villalobos, you
“I am sure you will be pleased with my projects if you elect me as the mayor of this town.” The crowd applauded in agreement with the projects, except for the demolition of my parents' mansion. Levi was about to step down from the stage when a video suddenly appeared. His eyes widened, and the crowd whispered as the video showed the former chief who handled my father’s case. (“I was ordered to arrest Don Ignacio for a crime he didn’t commit. Don Ignacio is innocent and is actually kind to people, always helping the poor.”) (“Who ordered you to arrest Don Ignacio?”) (“I-I-It was Don Levi… He also ordered us to beat Don Ignacio while in prison and make it look like he committed suicide to hide the truth… I hope Don Ignacio forgives me for betraying him, the one who appointed me as the chief of police.”) The whispers grew louder as Caridad panicked. I was stunned by the video, clenching my fists. (“Why is Don Ignacio being blamed for a crime he didn't commit?”) (“To prevent him
I was just staring at myself in the mirror while everyone around me was busy. I can’t wait to see them all embarrassed by what I’m about to do. “You’re gorgeous,” I smiled when I saw Uncle Max behind me. “Am I?” he grinned and nodded at me. He lowered his head to align our faces as he put his hand on my shoulder. “Te pareces a tu mamá (You look just like your mom)" he said as we looked at our reflection in the mirror. “¿En realidad? ¿Me parezco a ella? (Really? Do I look like her?)” I smiled and turned to him. “Oh, I am actually studying how to speak Spanish to be able to communicate with you,” I added and looked back at the mirror. He ran his hand through my hair. “hasta luego (See you later)” and kissed me on the cheek, so I just smiled and nodded at him. A few minutes passed before I was left alone in my room. I stood up to look at the gown I would be wearing. This night is special for the town of San Alfonso because it is the thirty-fourth anniversary of Levi and Caridad and