“I LIKE Tanya, I find her a perfect match for you. Well, she told me you dated?” his mother casually mentioned as they sat down for dinner that evening. Her voice was light, almost too casual, as if the subject was just another trivial topic among many. But Vincent knew better. His mother rarely brought up anything unless she had an agenda, and he could already feel the weight of her intentions settling in the air between them. He wasn’t surprised—she had always been particular about who he dated. For her, a woman like Tanya seemed like the ideal candidate: well-mannered, sophisticated, and from the right background.Vincent immediately felt a wave of irritation wash over him. He didn’t want to revisit this subject, but he knew that avoidance wouldn’t work. His mother had a way of steering conversations toward what she wanted to discuss, no matter how uncomfortable it made him. His gaze flickered to his plate, but his mind was already elsewhere, replaying the history between him and
“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?”“
FIRST ROSE"HELLO, Miss Beautiful!" Vincent called out when he found Isla in the kitchen, busy washing dishes."Hi, Sir Vince," Isla replied, her voice soft as she acknowledged him.At that moment, Vincent moved closer, grabbing a glass and filling it with cold water from the refrigerator.“Valentine's Day is coming up. Do you have a date yet?” he asked, his gaze lingering on Isla’s beautiful face.Isla glanced at him shyly before offering a small smile. “No, I don’t. I’m not really thinking about those things right now. I don’t have time for dates,” she explained.Vincent raised his thick eyebrows in surprise. “Really? So, does that mean no one gives you gifts on Valentine’s Day?”“Some people do, but I don’t accept them. I’m afraid my dad might see, and if that happens, I’ll definitely get scolded,” Isla said, explaining with a faint smile.Vincent nodded thoughtfully. “Just out of curiosity, what kind of gift would you not be able to resist?”Isla stared at him in disbelief after h
AFTER TWO YEARSWith a warm smile, Vincent watched his wife, Isla, as he carried their two-year-old daughter in his arms. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the clearing, its light filtering through the rustling leaves of the towering acacia tree. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and wildflowers, blending perfectly with the mouthwatering aroma of the food Isla was preparing. There was a sense of peace in the air, a quiet kind of happiness that made Vincent feel as if time had slowed down, allowing him to savor every precious moment with his family.At that moment, Isla was completely immersed in her task, her delicate hands moving with practiced ease as she prepared their meal. The sound of chopping vegetables and the soft clatter of dishes mixed with the distant laughter of birds perched in the branches above. She wore a contented smile, the same smile that never failed to make Vincent’s heart swell with love. Every now and then, she would glance over at him an
TWO MONTHS LATERIt was perhaps the happiest day of Isla’s life. As she took her first step down the long aisle of the grand church, a wave of emotions washed over her—excitement, nervousness, and most of all, deep happiness. The sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful reflections on the polished marble floor. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, mingling with the soft melody of the wedding march. Isla clutched her bouquet tightly, feeling the weight of the moment settle in her chest. She had dreamt of this day countless times, but now that it was real, it was even more magical than she had ever imagined.Beside her, Artemio walked proudly, his steps steady and reassuring. When Isla glanced up at him, he met her gaze with a warm smile, his eyes filled with fatherly affection. She could sense his silent support, the unspoken words of encouragement in his expression. Aida, standing close behind, reached out and gave her a gentle tap on the shoulder—ju
His words were simple, but they carried so much weight, as though he were talking about more than just the ring—it was about their relationship, their journey together. The fit was more than physical; it was a reflection of how they had always belonged to each other, even when they were apart. Vincent’s smile deepened as he squeezed her hand gently, the moment between them feeling like a quiet promise, a reaffirmation of the love they had shared and would continue to share for the rest of their lives."Yes, my fingers haven’t changed. It has always been a perfect fit," Isla replied with a light laugh, amused by Vincent's fascination with the ring.She looked down at the two rings on her finger, the wedding band and the eternity ring, both symbols of the love and commitment they had shared through the years. The fact that they fit together so perfectly felt like a sign, reinforcing the notion that they were meant to be together. But Vincent’s intense gaze still lingered on her hand, ma
Isla’s heart tightened as she listened to Vincent’s heartfelt apology. She had never fully understood the depth of his pain until now. She knew he had suffered, but hearing him speak so openly about it made her feel a deep sense of empathy for him. The regret she had once carried about their separation began to lift, replaced by an overwhelming sense of understanding. She could see now how much his love for her had hurt him, how he had been torn apart by the loss, just as she had. In his vulnerability, she saw the man who had always loved her, even through the darkest times, and it made her heart ache for him even more.Vincent’s voice broke slightly as he continued, his eyes filled with raw emotion. "Forgive me for not looking for you. Forgive me for not being there when you needed me most. I'm sorry for judging you." The pain in his words was palpable, and Isla could feel every ounce of regret that flowed from him. "But the pain I felt when I came home and found you gone—it was unbe
Randy’s return to the Philippines was met with a mixture of emotions. He had spent a few days in America to handle some pressing matters, but his thoughts were never far from Isla and their situation. As soon as he landed, he made his way to the mansion, where he now lived with his family. The house had become a place of new beginnings for him, but a part of him still carried the weight of the past. He couldn’t help but feel the sting of regret as he thought about the pain Isla and Vincent had endured. In a quiet moment, he muttered to himself, "If you had just said it earlier, you both wouldn’t have gotten hurt," realizing that his silence had caused so much unnecessary suffering.Every day since his return, Randy and Isla had commuted to work together. Their routine was simple, almost like a quiet partnership, but there was an unspoken tension between them. They both knew things couldn’t be the same anymore, but the comfort of familiar company made the journey bearable. Randy kept
A week later, Isla found herself caught up in the whirlwind of their busy routine once again. She had just come from the washroom when a familiar sight caught her eye—on her desk, there was a beautiful bouquet of red flowers, its vibrant petals standing out against the plain backdrop of her office. Her heart skipped a beat as she hurried over to it. She picked up the card, eager to see who the flowers were from. When she read the message, a warm smile spread across her face. It was from Vincent, and just reading his sweet words made her heart swell with affection. The fact that he had taken the time to send her flowers, even though he was so close in his office, made the gesture all the more special to her.As she stood there, still holding the card and savoring the moment, she heard Vincent’s familiar voice. “Did you like it?” he asked, his tone warm and teasing. Isla looked up, and there he was, standing at the door of his office, watching her with a gentle smile on his face. His e
Two days after her conversation with Ruby, Isla was caught completely off guard when her father, Artemio, and her aunt, Aida, unexpectedly arrived at the mansion. The moment she laid eyes on them, a surge of emotions washed over her—relief, joy, and an overwhelming sense of homecoming. Tears welled up in her eyes as she rushed to embrace them, her heart pounding with happiness. She had missed them dearly, and seeing them standing before her made her feel as if a missing piece of her life had finally been restored. Vincent, ever attuned to her feelings, wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace, as if to shield her from being overwhelmed by her own emotions. But it was when her father, Manuel, spoke that she truly lost her composure—his voice filled with warmth and finality as he declared that she and Vincent would be moving back into the mansion. The words echoed in her mind, making everything feel even more real, as though the wounds of the past were finally being healed b
The sun was already high in the sky when Isla slowly stirred awake the next morning. Her body felt heavier than usual, as though the weight of the previous night’s intimacy had lingered with her. She lay there for a moment, eyes still heavy with sleep, before she tried to muster the strength to sit up. A bath was the first thing on her mind, hoping it would wash away the fatigue from her body. But as she stretched and moved, her muscles protested, reminding her of how deeply connected she had been to Vincent just hours earlier.Just as she was about to swing her legs over the side of the bed, the door to their room suddenly creaked open. Vincent appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray of food with a cheerful smile on his face. His presence, as always, brought a sense of warmth to the room. “Good morning! Breakfast in bed?” he greeted, his voice bright and inviting. He carefully placed the tray on her lap, his hands gentle as he adjusted the food. It was a simple gesture, but one fi