“Wow, it's so beautiful… I love it,” some women kept exclaiming while checking Alana's dress. Just like Brigitte had told her. There would be some rich women who loved fashion more than anything. The four women surrounding her didn't stop complimenting her dress and simple makeup. “I'd love one…for my birthday…this is incredible" another one chimed in, Alana couldn't help but smile wholeheartedly. “She's the best…” Brigitte said and secretly elbowed Alana, both giggled inwardly. “But how come she isn't famous…with such rare talent… I've never heard of her,” this time it was the blonde lady who said. Alana noticed it was the one who wasn't impressed. Her father held some position in the government. “Emma, cool down…she's new okay…even if she's new…take a look at this,” her friend said coaxing her, but the so-called Emma shrugged and held her champagne flute elegantly. “Sweetie, I don't believe this… I mean, has she held any fashion runway…released a collection…no right…so why wo
The room looked like the fancy kind. Alana spotted some trophies in the cabinet. She walked closer to the desk. He was at least a few feet taller than what gave him an imposing look. His shoulders were broad although not muscular, but he had an aura which could be par to Ricardo. Even so, Alana knew Ricardo's demeanor was overpowering. “May I know your name?” Alana asked politely. The man didn't dare turn around, which made her even more curious. “Mrs. Romero, do you think it's a good idea to leave the party and follow a stranger…secretly,” the man said calmly as he turned around. Even his voice was rather raspy and more like spoke from the stomach. Alana wondered if it was his voice or uttered by the mask he was wearing. “I'm just curious to know the genius behind the great designs people are going crazy over,” Alana said nonchalantly, earning a chuckle from the man. Despite the mask, Alana could sense a smirk in his laugh. Either way, he stared at him hoping to see his eyes but t
Alana panicked once they arrived home, apparently, Santiago had fallen ill and was rushed to the hospital. Chloe had gone with him; hence they rushed there. Ricardo was pacing back and forth outside the hospital room, while Chloe sat in the waiting room. Alana was worried about the little boy. When she left, he was okay, although she noticed something odd about him.“A-Alana, I thought you knew Santi wasn't feeling well… I…” Chloe stammered while scratching the back of her neck, Alana's lips parted to speak, but she couldn't find words to explain. “He was okay when we left… I thought…”“You knew he wasn't feeling well, and you didn't dare tell me,” Ricardo was not happy, his sin came first. No matter what, Santiago meant the world to him. However, Alana composed herself and blinked away tears.“I'm sorry… I didn't think this could get worse,” she muttered and averted her eyes from him. Ricardo ran his hands through his hair furiously. “Why didn't you tell me, huh?” Ricardo asked as
Marcela's cold eyes darted around the room and then shifted back to Ricardo. After Chloe left, the room remained quiet. “And I thought you changed…what's all this, huh?” She was not happy seeing how Ricardo was behaving after everything. She thought he finally accepted Alana, but he was still hiding what happened in the past. “It's my private life…she doesn't have to know,” Ricardo simply said and concentrated on his files. Marcela frowned even more and walked closer to the desk. “She's your wife…why don't you stop this and tell her what happened…” The best thing he could do was confide in Alana, she already proved to be a great wife and a mother. However, Ricardo was busy shutting her out. “My son and I were fine before…if she wants to stay she can…if she doesn't want then no one will stop her,” Ricardo said nonchalantly, he didn't care whether a woman wanted to stay in his life or not. His son meant the world to him. If she made such mistakes concerning his son, then she would ma
Ricardo was agitated, and nervous as the doctor told him the news he wasn't expecting. Blinking a few times, he felt his heart thumping painful. He thought he heard wrong, but no, the doctor said it.“I'm sorry we can't save the baby…she's too weak to carry the pregnancy,” the doctor repeated, the words which caused Ricardo's knees to weaken. Shaking his head, he glanced over the closed door and then at the doctor.“What happened to my wife…you need to save them both,” he muttered and rested his hand on the chair support. He couldn't take it anymore. So much had happened to his wife and he wasn't aware of it.“She wasn't taking proper care of herself…your wife was too stressed, which affected the baby… I'm afraid if we don't do this…we might lose her,” the doctor remarked, realizing how hard it was for the mother and father of the child. Ricardo ran his hands in his hair furiously, he didn't know what to do. His mind was a mess.“Save my wife…please I'll do anything, I'll pay any amou
“GET OUT NOW!” Alana yelled and pushed away the servant girl, everything she was holding scattered on the floor, shattering the glass into pieces. The girl was scared out of her wits that she didn't dare go close to her boss.“P-please eat something…t-take your medicine,” the girl dropped to her knees and tried to gather the pills scattered all over.“M-madam please you are not well…” the girl pleaded with Alana, but she kept throwing things around. Afraid of what might happen to her boss, she ran out of the room to call for help. The girl was running down the passageway when she nearly bumped into someone. “I'm so sorry, I…” she said nervously and glanced up only to find her boss.“What is it…has she eaten?” Ricardo asked the girl she asked to give Alana something to eat. She would rather not see him. It had been five days since the incident and his wife refused to see him.“No, sir…she threw away everything… I'm afraid” the girl said and dropped to her knees. She hoped her boss did
Chloe paced back and forth by the stairs with the curiosity of wanting to know what was happening behind the closed door. She heard half of it, but Ricardo dragged Alana to the study room before she could hear more. But from what she heard, Alana asked Ricardo for a divorce. She didn't think things would escalate to such an extent, but she smiled and waited for the outcome.“Ms, the drink you asked for,” one of the servant girls said to Chloe, startling her. Turning around, her gaze was sharp and frightening that the girl lowered her head.“Pathetic," Chloe muttered and snatched the glass of water from the servant. “You can go,” she added, and turned away from her. The servant girl didn't waste any time but left right away.“What could be happening?” Chloe muttered while glancing around for those nosy helpers if they were around. When there was no one, she quickly tiptoed to the study, hoping to eavesdrop more.“You are making such a decision without considering your family,” Ricardo
“She's your wife…she said that, and you let her go,” Marcela was in disbelief as she paced back and forth in Ricardo's office. She got a call earlier, only to find out Alana and Ricardo separated.“Go now and get her back…do you think marriage is a joke,” she had worked hard to get a girl like Alana for Ricardo. She was exceptional and a good girl from a good family.“Her parents entrusted her to us…she's your wife so now go and apologize to us,” she said with a slam of her hand on the desk, Ricardo was silent as he listened carefully. Alana made her decision, he tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen. “You forced this on me… I don't want her back…she left and that's it,” he wasn't going to ask her back because she chose to leave his life. Despite everything, he wasn't willing to force any woman into his life.“You are still stubborn…do you prefer I call Armando here…maybe he can pump some sense into you,” one thing Marcela hated about Ricardo was that he was arrogant. He wasn't
Alana and Ricardo snuggled in bed together, despite the doctor telling Ricardo to go to his room. He refused and wanted to be beside his wife. Alana was happy to be in the man's arms.“But it was untraceable…” Alana said with a frown. She was still confused about how Ricardo and the doctor managed to know exactly the poison Rocco used on Santiago. “We did a few tests, and apparently, he was injected with succinylcholine. It's a paralyzing agent that can cause respiratory arrest and is quite difficult to detect,” The elderly doctor explained while Ricardo nodded. “It's acquired through a black market…it's illegal and quite difficult to get the current,” Ricardo chimed in as well, and Alana was stunned. “I had Dario and Dennis watching Rocco. He met with some men who provided him with it,” Ricardo added, and Alana now understood everything. It seemed Ricardo knew something was wrong. She held on to him, knowing she was so lucky to have him.“We had the team male neostigmine, which rev
Ricardo slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the harsh hospital lights. The throbbing pain in his body intensified as he tried to sit up, only to be met with a firm hand pushing him back down. Startled, he turned his head to see Marcus standing by his bedside, a look of concern etched on his face.“Lie down, Ricardo. You're badly hurt,” Marcus urged, his voice filled with worry. Confusion clouded Ricardo's mind as he tried to piece together what had happened. Why was he in a hospital bed? And why was Marcus here? Then, like a bolt of lightning, a memory flashed in his mind, and he jolted upright, ignoring the protests of his body.“Alana! Where is she? Is she okay?” Ricardo's voice trembled with fear as he frantically looked around the room, his heart pounding in his chest. Before Marcus could respond, Ricardo swung his legs over the side of the bed and attempted to stand, his body protesting with every movement. Ignoring the pain, he staggered towards the door, determination in h
“You're shameless, forcing a woman to be with you,” Alana was in disbelief. By now, Rocco was only in his boxes. Threatening to have his way with her.“I've always loved you, Alana. I've always cared about you and wanted nothing but to give you the world!” Rocco made a low yell, the fact that he fancied her since the first day he set his eyes on her hurt him.“I'm a married woman!”“And I'm a man who deeply loves you…what does he have huh…what does Ricardo have that I don't…” he questioned. This time, his voice was low and held emotions. "I have money just like him, good looks, you name it…but he's nothing but a criminal!” “You're insane Rocco, you need help,” Alana refused to give in, despite how sorry she felt for him. She wouldn't forget that he poisoned a child.“I'm insane because I love You, you're the first woman who makes me feel this way…Alana please give me a chance,” Rocco's voice softened, he was nearly begging her to love him.“I don't love you… I love my husband…”“He's
At the sight of Ricardo. Rocco lost it as he grabbed Alana by the hair and pointed a gun to her head. Ricardo's eyes widened in horror as he watched Rocco grab Alana by the hair and point a gun to her head. The guests gasped in unison, and their faces pale with fear.“Let her go this instant!” Ricardo growled as he took a step forward. Several guards rushed forward and surrounded him with guns pointing at him. “Let my wife go Rocco!”“Oh, shut up Ricardo…no one wants you here,” Rocco said lazily as he gripped Alana's hair even more tightly. The cold weapon connected to her skull frightened her.“You're courting death!” Ricardo snapped, taking a step forward. His fists clenched at his sides, his eyes blazing with anger. But before he could take another step, many guards rushed forward, surrounding him with guns pointed at him. “Hold it right there, Ricardo,” one of them warned. Rocco sneered, his grip on Alana's hair tightening. “Oh, shut up, Ricardo. No one wants you here.” Rocco re
Rocco was in the master bedroom humming to a tune as he selected a tuxedo to wear. He couldn't hide his happiness. The room was filled with several boxes, and all were custom-made tuxedos specifically shipped for his wedding. The door creaked open without his realization, and it was Stacey who walked in.“Oh for goodness's sake…. Is this charade even necessary,” Stacey scoffed as she jumped over a box, careful enough not to hurt himself. Rocco heard her, but he was too overjoyed to pay her any attention. “You're really enjoying this, aren't you?” Stacey said with a smirk as she came to stand beside Rocco. He threw her a lazy glance and continued humming to a romantic tune.“Nothing will ruin my day, except a witch, like you,” Rocco retorted mockingly, Stacey rolled her eyes in annoyance and picked up a white tuxedo.“You should thank this witch for coming up with a brilliant idea to separate Alana and Ricardo,” Stacey smirked even more while Rocco's facial expression darkened.“One m
Alana and Ricardo were stuck in an intense staring contest. Ricardo didn't dare let her go as he kept her in his grip. She seemed unhappy as she fought to keep him off her.“We are married…whatever the problem is, I'm here to solve it,” Ricardo whispered desperately. She just walked out on their marriage without any explanation. “And don't you dare say you feel nothing for me…don't,” he murmured as he leaned forward, their faces an inch from each other. Alana tore her gaze from him, her breath coming in short.“Please, babe, don't do this…” Ricardo cupped her face lovingly and tilted her back until she was facing him. Her eyes were closed shut, and when she opened them. Ricardo saw that cold gaze from the day she gave him the divorce papers.“Let me go!” She made a low yell and managed to get out of his hold. Before he could hold her, Alana pushed him away.“I don't care what you think, but it's over between us…” she slowly walked to the sitting area and leaned on it. “Leave me alone
Alana stood by the window, her stunning red dress shimmering in the light. The strapless gown hugged her curves, showcasing her bare back and thigh through a daring slit. Her hair was sleekly pinned up, and diamond jewelry sparkled around her neck and ears. As she gazed out at the city lights, the cold breeze whispered across her skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. Despite the chill, she exuded warmth and sophistication, a true vision of beauty at night.“Are you ready?” came a deep male voice. She didn't have to turn to know who it was. Her hands tightened on the purse she was holding. “It's our engagement at least smile,” it was Rocco who came into view, Alana was doing everything possible to keep her emotions in check. She glanced at Rocco with a stern gaze.“Rocco, stop this… I did what you asked…give me the rest of the antidote,” Alana said, her voice laced with emotions. Rocco stood beside her and shoved his hands in his pockets.“You are not entitled to make demands
Ricardo's heart raced as he parked his car in front of the hospital. He practically sprinted through the doors, his mind filled with fear and anxiety. His only child had been lying in that hospital bed unconscious and fighting for his life. The doctor's grim prognosis had shattered Ricardo's world, leaving him feeling utterly helpless.As he rushed down the sterile white hallways, he couldn't shake the feeling that the doctor was keeping something from him. How could Santiago suddenly be awake and eating when just yesterday he was on the brink of death? Ricardo's mind raced with questions, but he pushed them aside as he finally entered Santiago's room.The sight that greeted Ricardo stopped him in his tracks. There, sitting up in bed with a tray of food in front of him, was his son. Santiago looked pale and weak, but there was a spark of life in his eyes that Ricardo hadn't seen in days. Tears welled up in Ricardo's eyes as he rushed to Santiago's side, engulfing him in a tight embrac
Ricardo sat beside his son, and he held his son's hand. He watched him connect to various tubes and machines. His heart ached, and his son was always healthy, so what exactly happened to him.“Hey,” someone said from behind, Ricardo regained his senses, realizing there was another person in the room. It wasn't Alana, but Chloe. “He's going to be fine,” Chloe muttered softly as she walked closer to him. Ricardo only nodded and kept his gaze on Santiago.“We can try a different hospital… I have a friend who is a good doctor… I can ask for her help,” Chloe added when Ricardo didn't reply. The room was in utter silence. Chloe knew Ricardo was hurt. He loved Santiago more than anything. “I'll take care of that. You can leave now… I don't want my wife seeing you,” Ricardo said coldly. She knew Alana never liked Chloe. Having her around would make things awkward “Ricardo, I know I did some pretty bad things…trust me, I've changed, and I just want our old friendship back,” Chloe remarked wi