MONTHS PASSED. “You seem like you swallow a whole watermelon, Zoe,” Grant blurted out soon as Zoe stepped out of the clinic. They’re inside the hospital, and it’s Zoe’s follow-up check. “In two days, your baby will come out. Are you sure you don’t want to know the gender?”Zoe sighed as she sat down on the chair in the waiting area. She could feel the heaviness of her baby.She shook her head. “No.”Grant frowned. “Why?”Zoe glared at him, making Grant gulp, feeling terrified. “What is it to you? Why are you asking about it?” she asked.Grant bit his lower lip. “Er, nothing. Am I forbidden to ask?”Zoe rolled her eyes as she stood up.Grant cursed inside his head. ‘Because Helios is asking about it,’ he wanted to say aloud, but he pressed his lips together.Damn that idiot. It’s been months, and Zoe is nearly in her labor, yet Helios is still stuck with his fake marriage.“Anyway, Grant…” Zoe turned to look at him, “Mom and Cindy want to come before my due date. You must arrange a
UNTIL now, Cindy’s hatred towards Calyx and his friends has grown deeper. However, she felt pity for Calyx. The man is doing everything just to have her forgiveness. She knew she was too much, but this was all about Zoe.Even though she only met Zoe for a month, their bond is something that is unbreakable.“Cindy… let’s talk, please,” Calyx muttered while he stood in front of Cindy. Cindy was busy making the customer's order, and the man was present again.Calyx keeps on coaxing her day by day. And it seems like the man doesn’t even go to his company. But whom will he blame? It was loud and clear that they promised to protect them—yes, Calyx and Helios are protecting them, but how about Zoe?Her best friend is pregnant, and she will give birth at any moment this month.“I will take you to Zoe… just talk to me, please.”Calyx even makes the other customers pissed. But the hell he cares?Cindy put down the plastic cup and arched her brow in front of Calyx. “No, thanks. Grant already cov
ZOE and Cindy were out for an early walk in a nearby park when she ran into someone. She was stunned by the impact and would have fallen if Cindy hadn’t made a quick move to support her body.“Shit!” Cindy cursed loudly.“I’m sorry, miss,” the man who ran into Zoe said.Cindy let go of Zoe after double-checking that she was standing properly. Following that, she confronted the man. “Are you insane?” Cindy grabbed the man’s collar and drew him closer. “You knew she was pregnant—the road was wide. How are you supposed to run into her?” she raged.“That’s it, Cindy. He had no intention of doing it.”“No. You almost fell because of this idiot,” she said, her voice filled with rage.“I—I’m sorry,” the man said again, but Cindy was still clutching his collar. She tightened her grip even more. Cindy appeared to be a courageous and strong man. Zoe was taken aback by how manly she appeared.Then Zoe grabbed Cindy’s arm. “Enough of that. Let’s go,” she said, smiling at the nervous-looking man w
“HELA, my adorable goddaughter,” Cindy exclaimed when she saw her future goddaughter. Cindy went up to Zoe, who was carrying her daughter, and poked the baby’s cheeks.“How is the baby?” Cindy inquired.“She can’t talk yet. You insane, bitch,” Zoe exclaimed, laughing.Cindy placed the paper bags, which Zoe deduced contained clothes and other items for her baby.Cindy has been bringing gifts for her daughter Hela every time they visit them since she gave birth to her three months ago. She stated that they would simply make up for the days they missed together.And Zoe is curious about Cindy’s money. But she lacked the courage to inquire. On the other hand, Cindy enjoys earning money and has a lot of zeros in her bank account.“Well, you have no idea. What if she has a high IQ and can already communicate? Huh? Baby, come to mama. Please let me carry the adorable baby,” Cindy said.Zoe then gave her child to a friend. She was relieved that her daughter was not fussy. Hela does not cry ev
"WHY did you let Hela pick the roses, MOMMY? What if her hand was pricked?""You're overly concerned, sweetie. Those roses don't have any thorns," her mother said."You have no idea. What if it has, and you just didn't notice?"Zoe's mother burst out laughing. "I understand your apprehension, sweetie. I used to be like you. However, allow your child to enjoy the moment. If she likes flowers, so be it. Even if it means destroying everything, besides, we can replace them.""You're spoiling her, Mommy. And it bothers me." She took the child in her arms and lifted her. She took the petals off her daughter's small hand. And it appears that her daughter was upset by what she did, as she began to cry."See how you made her cry? I told you to let her be.”"Mom, she'll get spoiled with this treatment, and I'm worried she'll grow up to be like those spoiled brat kids.""If you don't want to get in trouble, call your child's father. So you don't have to struggle—he can help you," her mother said
“OH, I thought you were going to leave, mom?” Zoe asked. Because her mother was still there, standing next to Helios, both of them were probably looking at her and watching what she was doing.“You know what, honey? I think you and your Helios should work out your problems.” And she pointed at them. “Clean up the mess, and that was pretty clear. Especially you, Zoe,” her mother said, and she went to the clothes rack to get her trench coat and hat. She said goodbye with a smile on her face.Zoe rolled her eyes in irritation.Helios tells her aunt, “Take care,” which makes her mom laugh.Zoe just went back to what she was doing after turning around. She put oil in the pan, and when it was hot, she beat the egg on the side of the pan and dropped it.She turned to face Helios when she was done cooking. The man was still standing where he was, but he smiled and moved closer to the table when he saw her. He pulled out the wooden chair and sat down on it.Because Helios is there, Zoe feels u
ONE DAY passed, and Helios was still in the Philippines.Zoe’s mother told the man he could stay for at least a day. She might need his help because her mother, aunt, and friends are going on a trip. Zoe and her daughter will stay with Helios at home.Zoe’s mother begged Helios to stay for a while after they got back if he could. He was on board, too.Zoe wants to pass out because of what her mom is doing. And her mother doesn’t usually go on trips because she doesn’t know much about PH. That’s why it seems strange.Zoe was avoiding Helios because he wanted to talk to her about them. Whenever Helios brought up her life after the incident or her pregnancy, she always had a reason or an excuse. It looks like the man was trying to find out something.“Mom, there’s no need for you to do that. Just stick around. Don’t bother other people with it. It sounds like you’re asking bodyguards at a security company. Besides, if that was what you were worried about, I can handle it,” Zoe said.“Tha
“I apologize. I know that words can’t describe everything. But I do all of these things for you and for our daughter. You can call me whatever you want: jerk, coward, whatever. But please, all I’ve ever wanted is to be with you. I know I shouldn’t hide things, but things are getting hard. I don’t want you and Hela to get in the middle of my battle.”What he said took Zoe by surprise. She isn’t ready for it. She is at a loss for words.She chuckled.No. Not this time. She thought that she was ready. But she’s not. She thought it was easy. And she wasn’t sure that Helios would tell everyone everything.The man seemed different. His face turned dark, and he made a fist.Zoe gave a head shake. She was so sad that she was about to cry. “Please leave,” she begged. “My life with my daughter makes me happy and content. M-Maybe you forget that y-you are a dangerous person. If...if your organization knew this. That…” her eyes started to well up with tears. “I don’t want to get in trouble with m
ZOE’S POVStanding in the hallway, in front of the open door… is Helios. He was holding our daughter’s hand.Is my third eye open as well? I did the sign of a cross and closed my eyes. Lord, God, I may badly want to see him, but this shocked me. I opened my eyes, and he was still there.I also heard the seemingly suppressed laughter of those with me inside.He smiled at me, which made my heart thumps so fast that I could even overhear it. Astonishment registered on my face. Confused…What is this?"Mommy, daddy!" Hela shouted.I looked down at the bouquet of roses that he was holding. It has assorted colors.What’s going on? I turned my gaze to my parents to find an answer. But they just nodded.I backed away when Helios started to walk inward. Our daughter was still next to him, smiling. Helios’s face remains calm as he slowly walks toward me.He stopped a few inches away from me."Baby," his soft voice almost feels so unreal.I shook my head. My vision started to blur again. My hear
ZOE’S POVWhen we got inside the hospital, and inside Helios’s room, I fell on the floor, crying incessantly. They were all inside Helios’s room. Helios is already covered with a white blanket. The apparatuses are also gone.I no longer knew who had pulled me up and led me near him.He gave up!He didn't fight for me... for us.God never answered my prayers.Why?Why do I have to feel this agony?Why do I have to experience this epic romance? I thought things like this would just be in a movie.I immediately hugged his corpse.Corpse?No. I didn’t know what to feel as I hugged his body. Why didn’t he fight for me… for us? Why did he let this happen? Did he not miss us? He promised me. He’s a fighter, but why?“Why?! I screamed. “Why did you leave us? Why did you let go?! You promised that you were going to marry me. You’re being unfair! You’re leaving me alone again while I deliver our child. I want… I also wanted to you—"“Zoe, calm down. Breathe, sweetie. Slowly… Something might hap
ZOE’S POVSIX MONTHS.Six months had passed swiftly, but Helios was still not waking up. There’s still no progress. And I almost wanted to give up, but I knew he was trying to fight. He’s trying to come back for me… for us. And every single thought of losing him almost tears me apart.How many medications have been injected into him? I lost count.I pray every day, especially when I’m on his side, holding his hand, pressing it, and talking to him. I know there’s still hope. And I believe a miracle could exist.Our daughter turned one about a month ago. We celebrated it inside his room, trying to lighten the atmosphere that day, but even if we tried hard, we all knew we couldn’t. We can’t be happy, seeing Helios lying on this hospital bed, apparatuses plunged into some parts of his body and sleeping so sound that it gives a false alarm—that he will let go at any moment.Damn it! May God forgives me. Many people out there wanted to take themselves for useless things. Why should it be hi
“WHAT a cute family?!” shouted Bill and laughed. “Do you think things will be easy just like that? I’m not a fool, Helios. If I die, I will drag you down. And I’m going to take this building down. Now, let’s play, finding the bombs,” he said and grinned.“Helios...”Helios kissed Zoe on her forehead, “Everything’s going to be fine. Let’s get you out,” he said. “Don’t let them escape. Take all of them out of this building!”They were about to leave when Amanda screamed. Her sister’s attention was on Beige. Helios turned to them.“Sir, the bomb in him is activated,” one of the assassins said.“I told you. I’m not a fool, Helios!” shouted Bill, who the two men were holding.Her eyes widened as she trembled because of fear. The timer is only one minute and twenty seconds. Her eyes were enveloped by tears again, as she was afraid of what she was seeing. But Helios led her out. Her chest was heavy as she left the place.“Helios, where’s Sam and Cindy,” she asked between her sobs.“Grant to
BILL came out from an old room and laughed as he pointed a gun at Helios.“Hello, Helios,” he said demonically.The man stopped a few meters from where Helios was. “So, Helios… let’s start some convo, shall we? How are you, my brother?” asked Bill as the muzzle of the gun still aimed at Helios.On the other hand, Helios remained calm that even if he wanted to blow Bill’s head off, he couldn’t because his loved ones were inside.“I’m not your brother,” he replied emphatically.The man laughed. He put down his gun, and his men pointed theirs at Helios.Zoe wiggles and tries to speak even though Helios can’t understand them. Helios glanced at her, and pity registered in the young man’s eyes. And his heart pounded fast when he saw his daughter lying on a wooden table, sleeping as Bea patted her.“Do you like what you see, Helios?” asked Bill.Helios turned to Bill. “No. Let’s end this. Let them go, and you can have me. I’m the only one you need, right?” he said and gritted his teeth.Bill
“I’m begging, Bill. Please, let us go. And please, let me hold my daughter,” Zoe pleaded.Her heart was almost broken because of the constant crying of her daughter, who Bea was holding. They give her milk in the bottle, but her daughter is still dependent on her—she’s breastfeeding the child.How cruel will they be?“B-Bea, please, let me hold my daughter! Let me go!” Her voice was cracked, trying to hold back her tears. “Let me go… let me go,” she said, almost whispering.Bill just laughed while he could see her suffering. What a demon!“That’s right. Feel my wrath, Zoe—Helios’s kryptonite that can serve to be the source of his death,” he said and devilishly laughed along with her daughter’s loud cries.“L-Let me hold my daughter…” she said weakly. She felt dory for her daughter, who won’t stop crying.She doesn’t know where they are. They were immediately blindfolded when they saw the driver on their way to Batangas. When those demons removed their blindfolds, they saw tall trees.
HELIOS went out early to visit Grant’s twin brother, but those guards outside Gunner’s room were already dead when they arrived. They didn’t see any gunshots because all his men were drugged to death, and Gunner was missing.“Damn that, Bill!” Grant murmured as he punched the wall.Ali approached him and touched his left shoulder. “Calm down, Grant. Don’t let your rage eat you.”“How the shits I can calm down? He took Gun—he took my brother!”Helios then let Ali calm his cousin. He massages his temple. Bill is getting on his nerves.“He already found out that we knew his plan and Gunner’s betrayal! And I’m sure he’ll kill Gun! That psychopath will think that Gunner talked about his plans to us. Fuck!”"We need to go back," said Helios."Where to?" asked Calyx.“At home,” Helios replied and twitched the doorknob, and went out of the room. He pulled out his cell phone and called someone to remove the corpses inside the room before the police could see them.When he hung up, his phone ra
THE NEXT day, Helios and his friends leave early. Cindy and Sam decided then that they would stay for a while.“You didn’t come down last night, huh, Zoe? What did you do inside the room?” asked Cindy, carrying her daughter. After bathing her daughter and dressing her, Cindy immediately took the little girl.“Yeah. You left us with those jerks downstairs,” Sam complained while busy tying her shoelaces.Zoe was delighted that Sam could get along and erased the awkwardness.Zoe just shook her head and returned things to her daughter’s bag. “We just talked,” she replied.“Really? Just talking… no touching?” asked Cindy.She rolled her eyes and shook her head.“Ah, that’s why there are hickeys on the top of your left chest and neck?” asked Sam and grinned.“Oh. My. Gosh! Is that hickeys?” uttered Cindy and laughed along with Sam.At that time, she wants to be swallowed by the ground. When she finished, she acted as if she was not affected by the teasing from her friends.“We will be going
IT WAS ten o’clock in the evening when Helios got home. Zoe’s friend is still in the house, and both decided to do a sleepover. Hela Selene was already asleep upstairs. She’s with their maid named Bea.Helios went home not alone. He’s with this guy named Ali, together with Grant and Calyx. She smiled when she saw the reaction of her friend, Cindy. Cindy spits the water she’s drinking when she sees Calyx.They were busy watching when the men arrived. Cindy is at the edge where she back faces the main door—she didn’t expect the arrival of Calyx.Helios approached her and kissed her on the forehead. “Where’s Hela?” he asked.She was about to answer when Cindy and Sam started to tease her. They’ve repeatedly been saying the words, ‘long table’. At the same time, Helios's companions began to whistle.She shook her head and smiled. Then she looked at Helios again. “She’s already asleep. What took you so long?”Helios sat down beside her, and he put his arm around her. He leaned the back of