Intense anxiety and fear consumed my entire being. Raquel's face was contorted, clearly showing the pain she was experiencing."Raquel!!"I quickly caught her as she fell, and we both sat down on the cold pavement.Gunshots rang out one after another! I turned around in confusion and saw that Raquel's men were engaged in a firefight with another group of armed men."Miss Raquel!!" Danilo approached us with fear in his eyes. His eyes quickly turned red with tears as he rushed to Raquel's side."STOP!" Raquel shouted with all her might. "Put all your guns away!! Ezekiel!!"I froze. Cold sweat started to form on my forehead.At Raquel's shout, the gunfire ceased, and an eerie silence fell over the area.In an instant, the joy I had felt earlier turned into intense fear. Reluctantly, I looked in the direction Raquel was staring at and saw Ezekiel stepping out of a black car.My heart raced as I struggled to catch my breath.He walked towards us, seemingly floating above everyone else.Con
EZEKIEL actually knew and predicted it all. For him, Raquel and Danilo were just pawns on his chessboard, to make Serena settle with him for the rest of their lives.He allowed the three of them to plan and escape, just to see how far they would go.From the moment Raquel came into their family, he had a bad feeling about her. But now, his dislike for her has tripled because of her interference in his and Serena's relationship.Why is she even close to his eyes? Since he married Serena, she has been stealing his attention, and they even have a better relationship.The bond didn't break when Serena left, and Raquel still offered to help her escape.If Raquel was the reason Serena escaped before, along with other men, it won't happen again.He has neither affection nor feelings for his adoptive sister, so he's confident he can turn her down at any moment. He was just restraining himself because Serena is too emotional; she might commit suicide if she knew someone died because of her.See
"SERENA, sir Heskel is calling for you.""Yes,"Panying glared at me. I ignored her and just fixed my uniform before leaving the room."It's really annoying! Because you escaped, I'm the one getting irritated! I have to report everything you're doing here to sir Heskel! I'm even better than your assistant, damn it!"Panying complained as she walked alongside me.She was so irritated that she couldn't help but pinch my side."Damn it! More work, I already have so much to do here! You really don't spare us, do you?"I tried to distance myself from her as we walked, feeling like my skin was peeling from her pinches.I couldn't retaliate because I was the one who tried to escape last week. Instead of fighting back against Panying, I chose to stay quiet and avoid confrontation.Until we reached Ezekiel's room, that's when she stopped bothering me.She knocked on the door. "Sir Heskel, Serena is here.""Come in."Luckily, this time no other woman came out of his room, unlike before.I wonde
The cold breeze continued to sweep over my body as the windows and terrace of Ezekiel's master bedroom remained open."Hold me tight," he whispered seductively in my ear.I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck as he commanded.We quickly captured each other's lips, even though our mouths were filled with saliva, my throat remained dry and thirsty."Oh, Serena... you just don't know how dazzling you are," he praised, making my heart skip a beat."Dazzling? Even with the lights off?""Yes," he said firmly.I still don't know why he's acting like this. But I don't want to question him and make him upset.I swallowed. I didn't know how to respond because I was used to his praise."Serena," he trailed his lips from my lips down to my neck.I shivered every time I felt his bites and suckling on my neck. The sensation was so pleasurable, especially combined with the effects of the chocolate I ate.While his lips were busy trailing down to my plump breasts, his hand was busy tearing apart
"Ever since she arrived here, so many people have been affected! First, it was Barbara and Davina, even though it was her fault because she's a thief! Then Auntie Oprah got kicked out. Danilo just arrived, but she already flirted with him and caused trouble. And she even gives headaches to Panying! What will happen to this mansion?""She's like a termite, that woman! Look, next thing you know, there won't be anyone left!""Oh my! It's already hard to find a job these days! What will I feed my children if I get caught up in that woman's mess?""It's better not to get involved if you don't want to get in trouble!"I continued washing the dishes while listening to the conversations of the three housemaids in the dirty kitchen.It's amusing how they treat me as if I'm deaf, pretending not to hear them, or maybe they intentionally want me to overhear."Can you believe it? Auntie Oprah has been here for years, and Sir Heskel just kicked her out like that. What will happen to us newcomers?"
"Twenty-six... twenty-seven..."As I watched Ezekiel swim back and forth in the twenty-meter swimming pool, continuously without stopping or coming up for air, it felt like I was the one running out of breath.He had already done thirty laps. It seemed like he was practicing to become a fishing boater or something.For some reason, I haven't seen him working lately; he's always hanging out here in the mansion. Occasionally, he would leave with his right-hand man, Ramil.For some reason, I felt uneasy as he swam endlessly. He was fighting against the force of the water's waves. It was as if he was channeling his emotions through the crashing waves.Was it because of Auntie Elizabeth's disturbance earlier this morning?"Forty-three... forty-four... forty-five..." I bit my lower lip. "Ezekiel!" I raised my voice to make sure he could hear me. "Ezekiel!"He seemed to be planning to drown himself. Well, he could do that if he wanted, but not in front of me, or I might have nightmares for th
The next day, I woke up early to prepare. I didn't wear my usual maid dress, but instead, Ezekiel gave me a new white dress to wear.I've been wondering why he always gives me white dresses. From sleepwear, to casual wear, and now even for going out, it's always white dresses.I think it's his fetish."Wow, wow, wow! Why is Serena wearing that?" I heard the maids whispering behind me as I stood at the mansion's entrance. They were the ones who were gossiping in the kitchen yesterday. Their eyes were filled with mixed emotions - curiosity, admiration, and concern."Is she going to be a lady again?" one of them wondered."Hey! N-No way! Impossible! I won't allow it!""I'll resign if that happens."Their reactions quickly changed as they gave me a nasty look. I rolled my eyes at them and flicked my hair back before turning around to face them."Wow!""She's so arrogant!""Just because she's wearing expensive clothes, she thinks she's someone!"I couldn't help but smirk. My lips curled up
"Serena, how... how did you get here?" Raquel approached me as she was being pulled back to her place by Auntie Elizabeth."Who do you think you are to step foot in this place?! You're so shameless, aren't you?! Leave! Get out of here!!"She was about to come at me, but Ezekiel's men quickly positioned themselves to block her and prevent her from doing anything."Sorry, she was instructed by our boss to stay with us," one of them said with confidence."You Heskel's servants again! Always controlling me! Disgusting! You have no right to stop me because you're not in your territory, you peasants!""Mom!" Raquel immediately stopped her. "You don't have to say things like that. Restrain yourself.""Well, it's because..." she calmed down slightly. "No matter what, your brother never stops irritating me! He'll probably only stop when I'm attacked and my heart gives out!""Please don't say something like that, mom.""Well, if you don't want that to happen, get rid of this woman in front of me
"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