“Finish that quickly, my sweetheart, so you can rest,” Artemio instructed her, possibly fearing she might turn her back on him. He left the mansion and went to the maid’s quarters.“Yes, Papa,” Isla replied to her father.“Psst!”Isla quickly furrowed her brows, a slight frown forming as she looked around the room, trying to locate the source of the sound. Her heart fluttered, the air around her suddenly feeling a little heavier, as if something—someone—was nearby. She scanned the corners of the room, her eyes darting across the space, but she couldn’t find anything. Just as she was about to shrug it off, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in her peripheral vision. A soft laugh escaped Isla's lips when she saw Vincent standing behind her. He was leaning casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he watched her. The sight of him made her heart skip a beat, but there was something about the quiet way he stood there that put her
VINCENT didn’t wait for the three knocks to echo through the hallway before he swiftly opened the door. His eyes met Isla’s, and the look in them made her heart skip a beat. It was clear he had been expecting her, and the way his gaze softened upon seeing her made Isla smile without thinking. She couldn’t help the rush of warmth that flooded her chest. There was something about his presence that always made her feel welcome and wanted, and tonight, the feeling was stronger than ever.“Come in,” he said, his voice low and warm as he stepped aside to let her in. His gesture was inviting, and as Isla walked past him into the room, she felt a sense of comfort wash over her. The room was dimly lit, with a soft glow from the bedside lamp casting shadows on the walls. There was a peaceful, almost intimate atmosphere, and it made Isla feel both at ease and a little nervous at the same time. She had grown accustomed to their quiet moments together, but this one felt different—more charged
“V-Vince,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as she attempted to pull away from him. But Vincent wasn’t having it. Without a word, he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her with an urgency that made her heart skip a beat. She could feel the heat of his body pressed against hers, and for a moment, the world outside of this room didn’t exist. It was just the two of them, tangled in a delicate dance of longing and restraint. Despite her attempts to pull back, she found herself sinking further into the sensation, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his embrace.Isla’s mind was spinning as she fought to maintain her composure amidst the overwhelming sensations Vincent’s heated kisses were creating. The electricity between them seemed to grow with every touch, every soft brush of his lips against her skin. When his lips finally reached her cheek, the intensity of the feeling nearly took her breath away. Her heart raced, her chest heaving with shallow breaths, and her tho
A wave of shyness washed over Isla when her bare form was finally revealed to him. Her cheeks flushed, and she instinctively tried to cover herself, but Vincent gently stopped her, his warm smile and adoring gaze erasing her insecurities. “You’re perfect,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe and sincerity. Slowly, her unease melted away, replaced by the overwhelming comfort of being loved and accepted so completely. As his hands and lips explored her body with reverence, Isla let herself be vulnerable, trusting him in a way she never thought possible.“V-Vince,” she breathed, her voice trembling as his kisses traveled lower, leaving a trail of warmth and desire in their wake. Her body responded to his every movement, each touch igniting a fire within her that she couldn’t contain. When his lips reached her stomach and lingered between her thighs, Isla felt as though she might shatter from the intensity of it all. She was lost in the moment, her senses overwhelmed by the ple
Isla woke up in the early hours of the morning, the soft rays of the sun barely breaking through the curtains. She felt the warmth of Vincent’s body surrounding her as she slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she just lay there, taking in the quiet serenity of the morning. The soft rise and fall of his chest with each breath, the peaceful look on his face, all of it brought a deep sense of comfort to her. She could feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat, a rhythm that had become so familiar to her over the past few weeks. It was as if, in this moment, time had slowed down, and all the chaos of the world faded away. There was only the two of them, wrapped in the warmth of the love they had built together.She smiled softly, her heart swelling with affection as her eyes traced the outline of his face. Even in sleep, Vincent’s features held a quiet strength. His jaw was slightly relaxed, his dark hair tousled in a way that made him look even more charming. Isla couldn’t help but admi
“Ma’am Ruby, Aida told me that you wanted to see me?” That was Artemio’s opening question to Ruby as he entered the library of the mansion.“Take a seat,” Ruby replied, motioning to the chair in front of her desk. “I won’t beat around the bush because I have more important matters to attend to,” she said as she handed Artemio a check. “One million. Just let me know if that’s not enough,” she added.Artemio’s eyes widened as he shifted his gaze between Ruby and the check now lying on the desk.“W-What do you mean by this, Ma’am Ruby?”After regaining his composure, the old family servant finally asked.“I want you to keep your daughter away from my son. She’s not good enough for Vincent!” Ruby said in a formal tone, then stared at the man standing before her.Ruby saw the confusion spread across Artemio’s face.“What do you mean by that?”She laughed at his question.“Don’t tell me you don’t know what’s going on between Vincent and your daughter? Well, what should I expect? Wh
PRESENT-DAY... “Two months after that, we were in Cavite. I found out I was pregnant. I thought about telling my father about it, but I was scared, so instead, I tried to get him to tell me the truth. Why did we have to leave the Del Carmen mansion so suddenly?” Isla smiled bitterly. “That was when I found out that Vincent’s mother had paid my father one million pesos. I understood my father, to be honest, I wasn’t angry with him. But because I was hurt, I thought it might be better if I took care of and supported my child on my own,” Isla’s voice broke after that.She saw Cherry open her mouth to speak but then stop, unable to continue whatever she was about to say. Isla proceeded. “I left our house without telling anyone. I didn’t even tell them I was pregnant. You know, I was only eighteen back then. I felt like no one understood me. What I knew was that Vincent loved me so much because that’s how he made me feel. But what I couldn’t understand was why he never looked for me?”“
“I’ll take care of Matthew, you get ready for your interview,” Selya said the next morning, her voice calm and reassuring. Isla nodded, though her mind was far from the interview Selya was referring to. The job interview for the position of secretary to her new boss was an important opportunity, yet all Isla could think about was her son, Matthew, who had been running a fever for the past couple of days. Selya’s offer to help was a small relief, but Isla couldn’t ignore the knot of worry tightening in her chest as she glanced at Matthew, still resting in his bed. The prospect of leaving him with someone else, even if it was Selya, made her uneasy. She wanted to be there, to care for him, but she knew she had to move forward and take this chance for a better future.Isla shook her head, trying to focus on the task at hand. She couldn’t afford to let herself be distracted by the worry eating away at her. Gently, she reached for the wash towel resting on the edge of the basin filled
At the bus terminal, Isla was overwhelmed and unsure of where to go next, but fate intervened when she met Cherry, a kind-hearted woman who immediately took her under her wing. Cherry noticed Isla’s distress and insisted on helping her find a place to stay, offering her the comfort and support Isla desperately needed. As the days went by, their bond grew stronger. Cherry proved to be more than just a helpful stranger; she became a confidante, someone Isla could rely on. Over time, Isla found herself opening up to Cherry, sharing the painful truths of her life. Cherry listened with compassion, never once judging her, and Isla couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief in finally telling someone about the complex and hurtful experiences she had endured.One day, as they were riding a tricycle that would take them to the Del Carmen mansion, Cherry noticed Isla’s tense expression and immediately asked, “Isla, are you okay?” Isla glanced at her friend and tried to force a smile, though the
The days passed quickly, and life in Cavite began to feel like a routine for Isla. She had settled into their new home, which was modest yet cozy, and tried her best to adapt to the changes. Her father had started a small business at the market, selling rice and groceries, which kept both him and Aunt Aida busy most days. Isla appreciated the quiet moments when they weren’t around, giving her the space she needed to think. Yet, despite the peacefulness of her surroundings, Isla couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that had been growing inside her.One morning, as she went about her chores, she was suddenly struck with a severe dizziness that made her knees buckle. The world around her seemed to spin uncontrollably, and nausea surged through her in waves. She gripped the nearby table for support, her stomach twisting uncomfortably. Isla wondered what she had eaten that could have triggered such an overwhelming reaction. She glanced over at the food she had prepared earlier, but nothing s
SIX YEARS LATER... With a heavy heart, Isla forced herself to rise from her bed when she heard a series of knocks on her bedroom door. Her body felt like it was made of lead, and each movement felt like an impossible effort. She didn’t want to face anyone; she didn’t want to be strong. All she wanted was to curl up in her bed, cry until there were no more tears, and be left alone with her sorrow. The thought of dying crossed her mind, a fleeting but undeniable feeling that overwhelmed her. She felt trapped in the silence of her own grief, a silent scream echoing within her. The pain of her broken heart felt like it was suffocating her, making everything else seem insignificant.Yesterday, she had been on the verge of experiencing what she thought was the happiest day of her life. It was supposed to be a day for her and Vincent, a day where their love would finally triumph over all the obstacles they had faced. But instead, what followed was heartbreak and devastation. Nothing went
PRESENT DAY... Ruby entered his room a few minutes after their earlier conversation. This time, something had shifted—her usual sternness was replaced by a softer, almost tentative demeanor. Vincent noticed it immediately, even from behind the rim of his wine glass. The sharp edges of her expression had eased, the weight of her usual authority seemingly lifted. It was as though she had stripped away her armor, leaving only vulnerability in its place. For a fleeting moment, he wasn’t looking at the imposing figure he had known his entire life but at a mother who seemed unsure of how to bridge the growing chasm between them.“Vincent,” Ruby whispered, her voice barely audible, yet it carried an emotional charge that pierced through the thick silence in the room. But he remained unmoving, choosing to stare into his glass rather than meet her gaze. It wasn’t defiance; it was weariness, a reluctance to open wounds he had barely begun to patch. He took another measured sip of his win
“THAT’S enough, Ruby!” Manuel interjected firmly when he saw Ruby about to speak again.“I did it because I knew and believed that she wasn’t the right woman for you! She’s trash! I didn’t raise you to end up with someone like her!” she snapped, her tone sharp and unyielding. What Vincent had planned to be a calm conversation with his mother had quickly escalated into an argument.“Mom!” Vincent shouted angrily, his voice filled with pain. “So it’s true, then? What Isla said was true! You ruined her life! You ruined both of our lives! How could you do something like that? How could you stand by and watch me suffer?” he asked, his voice heavy with resentment.“My son grew up without a father! Do you know what he told me earlier? He said people often ask him where his father is! That came from the mouth of a child who knows nothing about this cruel world!”“He’s so innocent! Do you have any idea, Mom, how painful it was for me to hear that? I couldn’t help but think—what if people l
Vincent’s words hung in the air as he stood by the gate, his posture rigid and authoritative as he looked down at Isla. “I’ll be back tomorrow to see Matthew,” he said with an almost casual finality, as if his presence was something she should accept without question. His voice, once filled with raw emotion, had now returned to its usual sharpness—an arrogant edge that she recognized all too well. It was the same tone he used when he wanted to take control, to remind her of the authority he believed he still held over her life. The shift in his demeanor didn’t go unnoticed, and Isla couldn’t help but feel a wave of irritation wash over her.Isla’s eyes narrowed, a sense of resolve building within her. She had already allowed Vincent to breach the walls she had worked so hard to build, but she wasn’t going to let him cross that line again. She had her own boundaries, her own rules now, and Vincent would have to understand that. With a controlled breath, she responded, her voice now
“How long do you plan to keep my son from me?” Vincent’s voice resonated with raw resentment and barely restrained anger as he confronted her. The intensity of his gaze was like a storm, piercing through her as though demanding answers she had no intention of withholding any longer. He had waited far too long for this moment, and now that the truth was out, the fury he felt threatened to consume him. His fists clenched at his sides, a reflection of the rage boiling within him, as he demanded the justice he felt had been denied him all these years.“Let’s talk about that another day, Vince,” she replied, her tone deliberately steady though her hands slightly trembled as she ladled the steaming soup into a bowl. Her focus remained on the task at hand—ensuring Matthew had the nourishment he needed in his fragile state. “Your son is sick right now,” she added firmly, her voice softening as she reminded him of the immediate priority. Despite the tension in the room, her motherly i
Isla nodded and smiled, a soft, loving expression on her face as she leaned down to kiss Matthew on the cheek. The gesture was both comforting and reassuring, a sign of her unwavering love for him. Despite the challenges they faced, she cherished these moments with him, knowing that her role as a mother was more important than anything else. As she pulled away, her heart swelled with a sense of purpose. She would do whatever it took to make sure Matthew felt better, even if it meant setting aside her own dreams and aspirations for the time being. In his eyes, she saw not just a sick child, but the very reason she kept pushing forward, no matter the obstacles in her way.“Okay, I’ll buy it, but don’t take the towel off your forehead so your fever will go away,” Isla reminded Matthew gently, her voice filled with the concern only a mother could have. She wanted to make sure everything was in place for him to feel better. His fever had been a source of worry for her all day, but she w
“I’ll take care of Matthew, you get ready for your interview,” Selya said the next morning, her voice calm and reassuring. Isla nodded, though her mind was far from the interview Selya was referring to. The job interview for the position of secretary to her new boss was an important opportunity, yet all Isla could think about was her son, Matthew, who had been running a fever for the past couple of days. Selya’s offer to help was a small relief, but Isla couldn’t ignore the knot of worry tightening in her chest as she glanced at Matthew, still resting in his bed. The prospect of leaving him with someone else, even if it was Selya, made her uneasy. She wanted to be there, to care for him, but she knew she had to move forward and take this chance for a better future.Isla shook her head, trying to focus on the task at hand. She couldn’t afford to let herself be distracted by the worry eating away at her. Gently, she reached for the wash towel resting on the edge of the basin filled