It's impossible to clean the entire room using only a broom and dustpan. But since the only thing Panying prohibited me from using was the vacuum, I still managed to clean the thick layer of dust using water and cleaning soap.It took me five hours to scrub the dirt off the floor and walls, while I couldn't find a way to clean the darkened ceiling due to its height, so I just removed the dust instead.I followed by disposing of the bedding. That's where the small mice were hiding, scurrying away immediately. Let them chase after those.One of the maids brought me a blanket and a pillow, as well as a set of pajamas given by Ezekiel. After that, nothing else was given to me.After satisfying myself with the cleanliness, I laid down exhausted on the wooden bed.Sweat trickled down my entire body, perhaps because there was no electric fan in the room, and it was stuffy as well.But this experience is not new to me. I'd slept outside the house for several days before Brantley's anger subsi
As I entered my room, I was greeted by a pile of trash on my wooden bed. I stared at it for a long time before closing my eyes momentarily.What else could I expect? There's no way those women's narrow minds could find a solution to this.When I opened my eyes, I went straight to the cabinet, placed the box of medication inside, and took out my sleeping gown before leaving again.I headed to the small bathroom designated for the maids and took a shower.Once I finished, I quickly returned. Due to the pain in my body from exhaustion, I couldn't spare any more time to clean up the scattered trash.The stench was overpowering, especially in the humid room. But I didn't bother and only grabbed a clean pillow, unlike the blanket that was tainted with the smell of garbage.I positioned myself on the floor, far from the bed, so that I wouldn't smell the stench too much. Then I slowly closed my eyes.—"B-Brantley, please return my child to me now! I-I'm begging you... I won't run away again.
Faye played a significant role in my escape three years ago. Thanks to her help, Ezekiel had no idea of our plans to leave with Brantley.Despite frequently scolding her and being angry with her before, I always regarded her not just as a helper but as someone close to me.I am grateful that she never revealed Ezekiel's wrongdoing and didn't betray him.But now, hearing the words that she's dead from Ezekiel's own lips feels like a dagger to my heart. Tears threaten to fall at the possibility that she's really gone.She's innocent. She's too young! She didn't deserve to suffer because of my evil ex-husband's madness! From any angle I look at it, I can't see any wrongdoing on her part.She's blameless!! How can Ezekiel stomach committing such a heinous crime!I know that with his money and wealth, he can easily take a life without facing any consequences. But to think that he would actually do such a thing out of his own volition?Demon! He's a demon!!"Hurry up and wash the dishes and
"Ah! It hurts!"Tears welled up in my eyes as his palm connected with my buttocks.I was bent over the dining room table, my maid dress lifted, while he stood behind me.I could feel his hot presence. He repeatedly struck that soft area with his palm."A hundred times spanking, isn't it a light punishment for something you did? I only took sixteen hits, yet you're already complaining.""I-I said seventeen..." I replied in a muffled voice, burying my face in my arms, overwhelmed by the mix of emotions from what he was doing."Eighteen." He started counting and continued hitting my buttocks."Ah!" I let out a cry. I didn't want to hear myself making such lewd sounds, so I quickly bit my arm!"Nineteen."Fuck! The hits were getting harder and more painful! I could feel the area turning red.With each strike, a different kind of electricity surged through various parts of my body, sending shivers down my spine.I had experienced being spanked by my mother when I was a child, but to be spa
"What's happening to you? Why are you acting slower? There are still so many fabrics that need to be washed!" Davina exclaimed, watching as I put the curtains into the washing machine."If you helped, the work would be much easier," I replied without hesitation."Oh, be grateful that I'm teaching you what needs to be done! If I didn't think about Sir Heskel's well-being, I would have let you struggle on your own! But because of what you did to his food yesterday? Ha! Let's see if you can get away with it.""Why doesn't Sir just kick her out?" Barbara interjected, furrowing her brow and smirking. "You have no right to question Sir Heskel, huh? It's not easy for him to tolerate that bitch after what she did. Serena should be thankful that she still has a place in this mansion."I let them gossip and believe each other's opinions without knowing the truth.My body felt heavy from the exhaustion of last night, so my movements were slow at work. I didn't want to revisit the memories of Eze
"You thief!" Barbara's voice echoed angrily as she pointed at me, furious, while I held her cellphone tightly.I swallowed nervously, feeling the tension rise. I hid the cellphone behind my back, afraid of their angry faces."No wonder I couldn't find it earlier! If Eza hadn't mentioned your suspicious behavior, we wouldn't have known! Give it to me!"Barbara quickly approached me. Fear and anxiety filled my chest. But instead of giving it back, I held onto her cellphone tightly, trying to fight her off!"Give it to me, damn it?!" Despite her size, it was impressive how she struggled to retrieve her cellphone from my slender hand."You have some nerve!" I was surprised when Davina also charged at me to help her friend."Serena, stop it!!" Panying's voice took over the place.But I didn't listen to any of them. I couldn't give up the cellphone without erasing Haleanna's contact information!Even though I was being scratched, slapped, and hit, I couldn't just surrender it!I tried to bre
Early in the morning, Ezekiel summoned his employees inside the mansion.For some reason, his anger shifted towards his staff."Starting from now, whoever lets Serena have contact with the outside world will be punished and kicked out of the mansion. Whether the reason is lending her a phone or even if she stole it, it will be that person's fault. I don't tolerate any act of helping her have an easy life inside my territory, nor do I let her have her way out of this place," his eyes were filled with threats, devoid of any emotion. "Whoever has objections, you can pack your things and find a new job."He looked at each male and female staff member in the mansion, but none of them met his gaze directly.A long silence prevailed. The maids seemed to be sensing each other, and in the end, no one opposed what Ezekiel said.He clicked his tongue in annoyance and satisfaction. He knew he paid his employees well and didn't make their stay difficult compared to others, which is why he rarely h
"SERENA?!"Surprised, Raquel and I stared at each other.The weakness in my body suddenly disappeared, replaced by hope, joy, and the possibility of shedding tears at any moment."Raquel... Raquel!" I managed to fly to where she was, despite my unsteady steps.I hugged her tightly! I pressed my face against her neck. It felt like I was a child seeking solace.Nothing else crossed my mind except finding solace in her presence. I wanted her to take me away from this hellish place right now! I wanted her to hear my grievances again and help me rise once more.I wanted to tell her that I made the wrong choice with Brantley, that all he did was hurt me for three years! I never found love and happiness with him, but rather abuse and endless torment!"R-Raquel, help me..." I whispered to her in fear of Ezekiel hearing. "Help me get out of here. I beg of you..."But Raquel stood frozen like a statue. I couldn't even hear her breathe. It was as if she had seen a ghost and couldn't recover from
"How is Ezekiel after fainting?" Serena asked, concerned but amused after giving birth."Well, he got a bump on his forehead," Panying replied with a smile. "He's asking for ice from the nurse. Hahaha!"Serena burst into laughter. "Panying, I didn't know he couldn't handle it inside, but he insisted on being the emotional support. Turns out, he's the one who needs support during my delivery! Hahaha!""Seriously! He's brave when it comes to others, but he's weak when it comes to you. He fainted because of the stress and fear of seeing you in pain. He hasn't slept because he was nervous about your labor. Poor guy."Serena couldn't stop laughing despite her exhaustion and weakness due to Ezekiel's scene. "My poor love.""I'm fine!" Ezekiel exclaimed as he entered the hospital room. He took big steps towards Serena's bed to check on her. "My wife, are you feeling okay?""Pfft!" Serena noticed the redness and bump on her husband's forehead. "My love, what happened to you? Where's the ice p
The first woman Ezekiel loved was none other than his own mother.He treated Eliza with respect and honor. She was a wonderful mother to him, and all their memories together were truly happy moments of his childhood.She was the light of their home, so when she passed away, his world turned dark.He sat there in the corner of his room, surrounded by darkness, with no one to comfort him. No one was there but his own shadow.He mourned alone, drowning in his own tears; the heaviness in his chest was unbearable.And because he was a man, his father expected him not to show any emotions in front of people. That's when he started hiding and suppressing his true feelings behind his cold face.The insults he heard about Eliza from his own relatives and the rumors about his new stepmother, Elizabeth, didn't help either.He wanted to die because of the pain he felt at that moment. He always pretended to be ice-cold and unaffected by everything.But unexpectedly, while no one was watching the t
"Ta-da! You look so beautiful!"My female makeup artist was delighted with her work."This is a work of art! Look at yourself in the mirror, girl!"I couldn't help but smile sweetly. When I faced the mirrored wall, I couldn't help but admire myself.Wearing a stunning and expensive white wedding gown, I could hardly recognize myself. My makeup enhanced my natural beauty even more.The way my heart beats now is full of happiness. I can't believe I'm really getting married to Ezekiel again! It's only been a month since he proposed, and here we are, preparing for this day!In fact, when we first got married, I didn't feel this way. Perhaps because I didn't know him back then, I was overwhelmed with sadness and despair. My mother had to force me to smile and pretend to be happy.But now, my heart is overflowing with joy; there's no room for anything else! I think I'll always remember this feeling."Serena, you look so beautiful! You're like an angel turned into a princess! You've even sur
We were at the beach with Ezekiel, watching Duziell play with Halaenna, Freya, Panying, and Danilo in the distance, accompanied by three guards secretly keeping watch.We were resting and enjoying the hot weather. The sand between my toes and the deep blue color of the sea brought a unique joy and peace to my heart.Vacations are so enjoyable. I can't remember the last time I experienced this."Wife, didn't you have a shoot here before for the Sirena?" Ezekiel asked with a smile, as if remembering something. "I remember this is where it was shot.""Huh?" I was taken aback. I looked around again. "Is it here? I don't remember, because I was only fifteen when I played one of the Sirenas." I couldn't help but be surprised. "Honey, really? You were such a fan of mine back then that you even know this?"He chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling as he looked at me. "I can name every teleserye and movie you're in. You basically dominated my teenage years. That's why I'm crazy about you."My lip
"Be careful where you step, my wife!" Ezekiel was very attentive as we got out of the car, just coming from the hospital.I didn't know what to feel. "Ezekiel, I'm only three weeks pregnant. My belly doesn't even show yet.""Still!" His face didn't recover from its paleness. "W-We need to be extra careful, of course.""Of course, when my belly gets bigger, we need to be extra cautious. But the doctor said I'm healthy, so just by walking, our baby won't be in danger of falling, okay?" I clarified to him.But his nervousness and worry didn't diminish. "I should buy everything a woman needs during pregnancy!""Honey," I pinched his cheek. "All I need during my pregnancy is you by my side."He paused. "Then I should stop working—"I leaned in to capture his lips. I kissed him deeply and passionately before pulling away and giving him a sweet smile."You still need to work if you don't want us to starve."His mouth dropped open, as if on the verge of tears, and he looked at me, unable to c
Ezekiel leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on his father's lawyer, Samson, waiting for his response.The old lawyer, Samson, had been his father's trusted legal advisor for many years. They were discussing the final will and testament of Ezekiel's late father, which contained the key to dividing the family's substantial wealth."As the rightful heir, I expect to inherit the majority of my father's wealth, as stated in the document. However, there is an additional matter I would like to address."The old man adjusted his glasses and nodded attentively. "Of course, Ezekiel. Please continue."He continued, "According to the will, my stepmother, Elizabeth, who has already passed away, is entitled to a portion of the inheritance. However, given what happened, I believe that those rights should now be transferred to me."The lawyer nodded, paying attention to Ezekiel's request. "I understand your perspective, Ezekiel. However, please allow me to review the legal implications and consu
Ezekiel entered the underground basement. From a distance, the smell of blood permeated the familiar place, but it no longer affected him."Open the cell," he commanded Ramil, who promptly obeyed.As the cell door opened, he made his way inside. The two individuals he intentionally sought out were not immediately visible. He had to walk a few meters before finding them.Meanwhile, the people imprisoned in the cells on the sides were filled with anguish and pleaded to be set free. Those arrogant and brutal criminals were now acting like victims, always begging for his mercy whenever they saw him.This was the side of him he never wanted Serena to understand. He knew that Serena already knew about this organization. However, he wanted to keep it a secret and bury it along with the people inside.This was a place where he only encountered his own brutality and mercilessness towards those who once mocked, insulted, and threatened his life. There was nothing here but a nightmare."Brother?
"Don't worry, Mrs. Serena, your child is in good condition. Thankfully, the wound on his neck isn't deep. However, due to the severity of the cut, it will leave a scar. I recommend an ointment to speed up the healing process. As for why he is still unconscious, it's because of the sedative he was forced to take. But it's nothing to worry about; his breathing is perfectly fine, just like he's in a deep sleep."My mind slowly calmed down after hearing the doctor's words. I took a deep breath and turned to Duziell, who was still peacefully sleeping, unaffected by his injury.The tension in my body from what happened still lingered as I slumped in the chair next to Duziell's bed."Thank you, Doc." I expressed my gratitude. It wasn't easy for him to wake up in the early hours to do his job. Fortunately, the mansion is only a three- to five-minute drive from his house."You're welcome. If you have any more questions or if there's anything else I can do, I'll respond immediately.""Thank you
Ezekiel woke up when he realized Serena wasn't on her side of the bed.He groped around the bed and confirmed that she wasn't there, causing him to open his eyes and sit up."Serena?" He yawned as he got up to check the bathroom inside. But she wasn't there.When he looked at the clock, he wondered where Serena could be at only three in the morning."Serena?" He furrowed his brow as he left the room to go to Duziell's adjacent room. He was sure Serena left their bed to be with their son. "Se—"His mind quickly woke up when he saw that the door to the room was open. He rushed inside. The messy bed greeted him, but his son was not there, where Serena had put him to sleep."Where the heck did they go?" He hurriedly left the room and practically flew down to the living room.The surroundings were still, the lights were off, and there was no trace of his wife or child! That's when he sensed something was wrong.He quickly went to the maid's quarters, remembering where Serena's mother was p