PRESENT DAY...Vincent’s parents welcomed Matthew with open arms, their faces glowing with joy. Their happiness was unmistakable, and it was clear how much the young boy had already touched their hearts. To them, Matthew wasn’t just a child; he was a bridge of hope and a living symbol of reconciliation. Their gestures were warm and inviting, ensuring Isla that her son would be loved and cherished in this new environment. Yet, amidst the smiles and laughter, Isla couldn’t shake off a lingering unease.For Isla, the warmth of the welcome was bittersweet. The echoes of her own fractured past weighed heavily on her heart, and the absence of her father and stepmother loomed large in her thoughts. She couldn’t help but recall how different the atmosphere in the mansion had been when her family was complete. Every corner of the grand estate seemed to whisper memories of a time when love and unity prevailed. The vibrant presence of her father, who had always been her anchor, and the careful y
"You look so tense," Vincent remarked in a voice that was laced with amusement, his tone as playful as it was teasing. His words seemed to only make her more flustered, a mixture of frustration and helplessness flooding her mind. He held her gaze for a beat longer, seemingly savoring her reaction before finally letting her go, his touch slowly retreating as he moved away. "I’m just going to shower," he added casually, as if nothing had happened, before turning toward the bathroom. His nonchalance only made Isla feel more exposed, her hands still trembling slightly as they dropped to her sides. She could only nod weakly in response, her mind struggling to process what had just occurred. As she sat down on the edge of the bed, her body still buzzing with the electric tension from their encounter, Isla couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. What was happening to her? Why did it feel like her emotions were slipping out of her control, like a current she couldn’t resist no matter how hard
A warm wave of nostalgia and emotion surged through Isla as her eyes settled on the familiar place before her. It was as though time itself had stood still, preserving this piece of their shared history. Every detail—the sprawling acacia tree, the faint scent of roses carried by the wind, and the soft rustle of leaves—brought back a flood of memories. This was where their love story had truly begun, where laughter, whispered dreams, and promises had been exchanged beneath the shade of the tree. Isla felt her chest tighten as she realized how much this place still meant to her and how deeply it was etched in her heart.As they stepped out of the car, a heavy but comfortable silence lingered between them. Vincent’s grip on her hand remained firm, as if he feared she might slip away if he let go. Together, they walked toward the spot, their footsteps crunching softly against the earth. Isla felt her pulse quicken as they drew closer, her emotions teetering between bittersweet longing an
Vincent’s voice trembled with raw emotion as he continued, his gaze fixed on the familiar surroundings. “The next day, which was supposed to be our wedding day, I chose to wait here. I thought that maybe, just maybe, you’d come back because we were both so excited for that day, weren’t we?” His voice faltered, the words coming out strained as if every syllable carried the weight of years of regret and longing. His tears fell freely, unashamed, as the raw sorrow that had been buried for so long finally poured out of him. Each word was a reflection of the pain he had carried alone, a grief that had festered in the silence between them. His promises, once filled with hope and certainty, had been left unfulfilled, shattered by the circumstances that neither of them had expected. Isla could feel the weight of his sorrow as if it were her own, the heaviness of the love they once shared and the heartache of its loss pressing against her chest. She couldn’t help but cry, the tears coming un
Vincent burst through the treehouse door with such force that the loud creak of the hinges reverberated throughout the room, followed by the metallic clink of the knob lock rattling into place. The storm outside added to the intensity, but Vincent seemed oblivious to anything beyond the woman in front of him. Without hesitation, he captured Isla’s lips in a deep, fervent kiss, his hands already beginning their exploration. Each movement was both desperate and deliberate, as if he feared she might slip away if he didn’t hold her close enough.“Vince,” Isla gasped, her voice barely above a whisper as his lips moved down the delicate curve of her neck. The heat of his breath sent shivers cascading over her skin. His hands worked with purpose, deftly undoing the buttons of her blouse. Despite her protests, a spark of amusement danced in her eyes as she observed his relentless focus.Growing impatient, Vincent gave up on the delicate task of unbuttoning and instead tore the blouse apart i
"You're great, sweetheart," Vincent complimented her after a few moments, his voice warm and filled with sincerity. His words, simple yet deeply meaningful, sent a wave of pride through Isla. She felt her heart swell, the affirmation igniting a flicker of confidence in her chest that made her beam in response.A proud smile broke across Isla's lips as she met his gaze, the playful sparkle in her eyes a testament to her delight. "I told you," she replied, her voice teasing, accompanied by a casual shrug of her shoulders. Her light-hearted response belied the deeper emotions coursing through her—gratitude, contentment, and the undeniable joy of being truly seen and appreciated by the man she loved.The corner of Vincent's lips lifted into a soft smirk, his expression brimming with admiration. He leaned closer, his fingers brushing gently against her cheek as he spoke again, his tone steady yet passionate. "You don't need to imitate anyone, Isla," he murmured, his words like a promis
The following day marked the beginning of a new chapter in Isla and Vincent’s lives. The wedding was simple yet intimate, held at Judge Arcega’s office with only their closest loved ones present. Vincent’s parents stood proudly by their son, their joy evident in their radiant smiles. Matthew, their young son, stayed close to them, occasionally looking up at Isla with innocent curiosity, as though sensing the importance of the moment. Cherry and her mother, Selya, were also present, their happiness for Isla and Vincent shining through their expressions. Although there was no grandeur or extravagance, the room was filled with warmth, love, and a quiet sense of celebration. As promised, Isla wore the white dress that Vincent had always dreamed of seeing her in, a poignant symbol of their bond and the vows they exchanged that day.As the ceremony came to a close, Cherry approached Isla, tears streaming down her face. "Congratulations," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion as
"REALLY? You said that, sweetheart?" Vincent asked amusedly as he sat down. He looked at Isla, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I remember that day. You were so nervous, you almost tripped over your own feet."Isla turned to her husband, her face flushed. "Ah, actually—" she began, trying to correct the misunderstanding, but April beat her to it."That was your first kiss together," April added while looking at Vincent. "She was so worried then because she couldn't understand why you kissed her. She thought she did something wrong.""That's why I told her to talk to you," Renz explained. "She was too worried and deeply affected by the incident. I knew you could help her better than I could."Isla felt Vincent take her hand, which sent a thrill through her heart and mind. The warmth of his hand enveloped hers, a comforting presence that grounded her. As April and Renz recounted the past, Isla could almost see the scenes they described playing out before her. She pictured herself as
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