Ayana sat in front of her painting board, but her mind was far away, lost in a sea of uncertainty and fear. She couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that gripped her heart, knowing that Robert's return had thrown their lives into turmoil once again.As she stared at the blank canvas before her, Ayana's thoughts raced, her mind replaying the events of the past few days over and over again. She couldn't escape the looming shadow of Robert's presence, his reappearance casting a dark cloud over their lives.Her fingers twitched, longing to pick up a brush and lose herself in the colors and shapes of her art. But every time she tried to focus, her thoughts were consumed by worry and anxiety, her emotions too raw to find solace in her painting.Adam watched Ayana from across the room, his heart heavy with concern for her. He could see the turmoil raging within her, the fear and uncertainty written plainly on her face. He wanted nothing more than to ease her pain and chase away the shadow
As she painted, Ayana found herself embracing the present moment, letting go of the past and the future, and simply allowing herself to be fully immersed in the act of creation. There was a certain freedom in surrendering to the canvas, a liberation that allowed her to express herself without inhibition or restraint.And as the painting began to take shape before her eyes, Ayana realized that she was not just creating art—she was also reclaiming her power, reaffirming her identity, and rediscovering her inner strength. In that moment, she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she would face them with courage and resilience, fueled by the creative fire that burned within her.With each stroke of color, Ayana painted her way towards healing, transforming her fears into beauty and her uncertainties into possibility. And as she stood back to admire her work, she couldn't help but smile, knowing that she had found a source of strength and inspiration in the most unexpected of plac
As Ayana continued to pour her heart and soul into her artwork, still figuring out how to handle Robert and his threats, she found solace in the act of creation. Each brushstroke became a form of therapy, a way to release her pent-up emotions and fears onto the canvas. And with each painting she completed, she felt a sense of empowerment wash over her, knowing that she was reclaiming her identity and rediscovering her inner strength.A week had passed since Ayana's last encounter with Robert, and to her relief, there had been no further disturbances from him. Though she couldn't help but remain cautious, uncertain of what the future might hold, the respite from his presence was a welcome relief. She couldn't quite shake off the feeling of impending doom, but for now, she focused on the positives.The unwavering support of Adam had been her saving grace through it all. His steadfast presence, like a rock amidst the stormy seas of her life, provided her with the stability and reassuranc
Despite the challenges they faced along the way, Ayana's determination never wavered. With Adam's encouragement and guidance, she pushed through obstacles and setbacks, fueled by her unwavering belief in her own abilities.As they worked late into the night, fueled by their shared passion and dedication, Ayana couldn't help but feel grateful for Adam's presence in her life. His unwavering support and reassurance gave her the confidence she needed to pursue her dreams, knowing that he would always be there to catch her if she fell.As Ayana delved deeper into her artistry, each stroke of her brush became a testament to her journey of self-discovery. With Adam's unwavering support, she found the courage to turn her passion into something tangible—a collection of paintings that mirrored her resilience and inner strength.One evening, as they sat in Ayana's studio surrounded by her vibrant creations, Adam glanced at her with admiration. "You have really outdone yourself, Ayana. These pain
As Ayana approached the designated meeting spot to deliver her paintings to a client, a sense of excitement filled her. She couldn't wait to share her art with someone who appreciated it as much as she did. However, as she scanned the area, her excitement quickly turned to apprehension when she spotted Robert lurking nearby. Her heart sank at the sight of him, his presence casting a shadow over what should have been a joyful occasion. Ayana's grip tightened around the handles of her portfolio as she considered her options. She could feel her pulse quicken as she tried to maintain her composure. Ignoring the knot of fear forming in her stomach, Ayana took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She refused to let Robert intimidate her or ruin this moment for her. With a determined stride, she approached her client, offering a warm smile and a handshake. “Greetings, Mr. Handson! I hope I did not keep you waiting for long.” She said politely, but still, her mind lingered around that n
Ayana was busy preparing breakfast when a doorbell stopped her activities. Adam was upstairs with Lyana. She walked to get the door. “Julius? Good morning!” Ayana greeted the security man.“Greetings, madam!” He greeted.“You need anything? Is it Adam? I will go get him for you,” she said, preparing to leave, but his words stopped her.“No, it is you, Ma’am!”She turned around, looking at him with confusion. “Me?” She asked.“Yes. A man is at the gate looking for you,” Julius said, and Ayana’s stomach churned.A man, looking for her at Adam’s gate? Who the hell would that be? “Did he say his name?” She asked.“Robert,” Julius said, “He said he is Robert, your good friend.”“Rob…what?” she fumed, not believing that Robert had the guts to show up there.She stormed out, her anger driving her to the gate where Robert was standing outside.Robert's audacity knew no bounds as he shamelessly sought Ayana out, even daring to show up uninvited at Adam's house. They stood face to face at the g
Ayana stormed into the house, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest, each beat echoing the fury that coursed through her veins. The weight of the encounter with Robert hung heavy on her shoulders, a burden she carried with a mixture of frustration and defiance. She could still feel the heat of his gaze, the venom of his words lingering in the air like a toxic cloud.As she entered the living room, her eyes fell upon Adam, who paced back and forth like a caged lion. His brow was furrowed with anger, his fists clenched at his sides as he muttered curses under his breath. The tension in the room was palpable, crackling with the energy of their shared frustration."Adam," Ayana called out, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. Adam stopped mid-stride, his gaze snapping to hers with a fierce intensity."Ayana," he replied, his voice tight with emotion. "What happened? Are you okay?"Ayana shook her head, her hands trembling with the remnants of adrenaline. "It's Robert,
When Robert opened the door to find Adam's attorney standing on his doorstep, a surge of anger and disbelief coursed through him like a bolt of lightning. His heart pounded in his chest, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides as he glared at the man before him.‘An attorney? He is not even wearing a friendly look and this is definitely not one of their usual lawyer looks. Did that bitch screw me?’ Robert wondered inwardly as he studied the attorney.His jaw tightened with a mixture of frustration and defiance as he braced himself for what was to come. The sight of the attorney holding an envelope only fueled his rage further, a stark reminder of the obstacles standing between his plans. Wicked plans, because a sensible and trustworthy person would not have it in them to do what he was doing to Ayana after everything he had done in the past.Robert's nostrils flared with every breath as he struggled to contain his emotions. His mind raced with thoughts of defiance and rebellion
“Hey! “ Lian spoke with her signature smile, of course. “Why don’t we first stop by calling it a sin? Let us just say that it was casual sex done for the wrong reasons and at the wrong place. But all in all, we were adults, and we both proved a point that day. Of course, it hurts, just a little, because you did not offer exactly what I wanted. But if anything, Adam, I want you to know that I wouldn’t waste a chance with you even now if I had it. I am not ashamed to be on the list of, you know, all of those you have been with.” She then looked at me. “I am sorry to say this too, but at least I got to taste the famous Adam Stone De’Leon!” She smiles, and I think I am beginning to love her smile now. Eyes roll! “You are lucky, Ayana. You both are lucky to have each other. And this is where I wanted to be—to have you look at me the way you are looking at her, with so much love and adoration. Your eyes speak submission every minute they brush her. Even a fool can tell you love her so much.
“What, son?” His father asks.“The merger that you seek with the De’Marios will happen.” Excuse me, what? I snap at him, and I was just to give him a piece of my mind, but a gentle squeaaze of my hand sealed my lips, opting to trust him, hoping that he knows that these bunch of heartless fools do not deserve to benefit even just one bit from me. “But not on the grounds of my marriage to Ayana!”Fantastic! Bingo! God, I so love this man!Eyes flickered on each other for a long moment of screaming silence, until my father had to break the lull. Desperate old man! “What are you talking about, son? You know you are really growing desperate by the day here. And now, we have damages to pay to the Adrianos for what Grace did. Things are weighing down on us, Adam! So, what do you suggest? Anything that will help at all. We will abide!”So, Adriano, are you asking for compensation for the damage that Grace’s actions caused? Well, they seem to be the experts in not letting any opportunity slide
After a long, unnerving moment, the door opens again and freezes on our spot as our house is swamped with people.Yeah!People!And I am not talking about two or three people here, no! This weird woman is the weirdest of all because, how did she pull all these?And yeah, before I forget, I am not talking about just any other people. Not some ordinary people. Naah!We are talking of the De’Leons, Adam’s father and mother; the De’Marios, my parents; and this skinny witch who used to be my sister. And these other people, whom I presume are Lina’s parents,.Forget everyone. Lina and her parents have a score to settle with Adam, and so do the De'Leons, who have the right to be in their son’s house. But these black souls, these people that God gave me as a family? How dare they have the guts to set their feet here, huh? The nerve! The temerity! I mean, after all they have done to me? And this little brat of a witch, after insulting Adam like he was the greatest sinner the world has ever had
“You got my information from my parents? How? When? Why?” I ask.She steadies herself. “It wasn’t intentional. It just so happened that you both were the reason why some dark secret that was kept in the dark for years was leaked out. Our families, the Adrianos, the De’Leons, and the De’Marios had to meet because that was a breach of contract!” She speaks.I get everything about the dark secret and the urgency for the two families to meet, and I can also understand that tabgle. But breach of contract? What was all about that?“Breach…” I throw Adam a glare to ask for clarity, but he seems clueless and lost like I am, so I decide to ease both our curiosities. “Breach of contract? What contract?”“Yes,” she says, throwing Adam a glance, and she speaks, looking at him as if the words were only meant for him. Wasn’t I the one who asked the damn question here? “Our families, the De’Leon’s and the Adriano’s, after settling for compensation and agreeing to bury all that had happened, signed a
“Hey! I am harmless, you know!” The lady, Lina, speaks, and she even has the bravery to smile at me while my hand freely retreats from the mission of shaking her hand.She had no choice but to drop hers in letdown.She is harmless.The woman that supposedly Adam raped years ago is smiling right in my face, and I should not be worried. She is harmless. Harmless, huh?What is this?Why did she come here?“I know who you are,” I murmur, hoping that we don’t have a problem here, but how stupid of me to think, no, to actually hope for that? Why would he come here if there wasn’t fire in the mountain? “Wha…what are you doing here?” I ask.As Adam composes himself and approaches, his trembling hand clasping my waist reveals the struggle within him. It's not merely a physical tremor, but a manifestation of the turmoil in his soul. I sense the weight of his past bearing down on him, an unwelcome guest crashing into the delicate balance he's been striving to maintain.In his touch, I feel the e
The chirping of the early morning birds calls me out of my peaceful sleep. I peel my eyes, and they almost impair with a striking, sharp pain as they collide with the savage rays of the morning sun. I shut them for a minute, but when I don’t feel those strong arms around me, I peel them open in a flash, turning around. Empty space! That explains why the widow's curtains are open, permeating the savage sunrays. He woke up before me. That has never been him. I always wake up enveloped in his arms every single day of the six months that we have been together. What changed? Is it because of that question from last night? This marriage issue? After he asked me that, and after I failed to come up with a straight answer, I just laid my head on his chest and snuggled into his warm embrace. He understood the memo, which meant I was not ready for that kind of conversation. And he respected it, just like he has always done. He pulled me closer and tighter, and we drifted off to sleep. Did I
“Goodnight, mommy,” Angel says after I tuck her to bed, or rather, we tuck her to bed. Me and Adam. She turns to him and says disrespectfully, "Goodnight, Uncle Adam. You two are the best." Some“Alright. Goodnight princess. Have sweet dreams, and your mommy and I love you so very much,” Adam says, kissing her on the forehead before standing up as the sweet little girl closes her eyes.My sweet little angel. My gift is straight from heaven. What can I give God to thank him for bringing her into my life? She is my pride! My joy.“Shall we?” Adam asks, holding my hand, and I don’t waste time. I follow him behind, leaving Lyana’s room as we stroll across to his master's room. Or just simply, our room. This has become our room, just as his house has become my house. We are better off being called a family. A married couple. Because this is what all this depicts. I forgot about my house a long time ago. All that is left is for me to pick up my belongings and settle here for good. Yes, here
Ayana's anger flared, fueled by the woman's bitter accusations. "What I meant was," she retorted, her voice trembling with fury, "I did not know that Robert had a wife. And no, I have never entertained this fool ever since he came back from nowhere, and I never will. For me, he is nothing but some fresh vomit that I can never take back, no matter what."Her words cut through the tension like a knife, carrying a raw honesty that left no room for doubt. Ayana's resolve was unwavering as she stood her ground, refusing to let the woman's scornful words diminish her self-worth."And as you said," Ayana continued, her voice rising with conviction, "I am with my man. A man worth being called a man, and not some trash!"With each word, Ayana reclaimed her power, asserting her worth and dignity in the face of adversity. She refused to be defined by the actions of others, standing tall in her truth and righteousness.Robert's once confident demeanor faltered as Ayana's words pierced through his
All eyes turned towards the unexpected newcomer, a tired and heavily pregnant woman standing before them. Ayana's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight—the woman's weary expression, the telltale swell of her abdomen—indicating she was carrying a child.As confusion clouded Ayana's mind, she searched for answers in the woman's gaze. There was a sense of familiarity—a haunting resemblance to Robert—that sent a chill down Ayana's spine. Could this woman be Robert's wife?What puzzled her was why Robert had suddenly reappeared after six years, pursuing her and their daughter, especially if he had a wife—a pregnant wife, no less.The revelation left Ayana grappling with a myriad of emotions—bewilderment, frustration, and a gnawing sense of unease. She couldn't comprehend why Robert would resurface after all this time, stirring up chaos and turmoil in their lives.The realization hit Ayana like a ton of bricks, her mind reeling at the implications. If this woman was indeed Robert's