Ezekiel was left paralyzed while staring at the TV screen.The glass of alcohol he was holding earlier was now scattered on the cold tiles of his office, the ice cubes melting away. He felt like he had been doused in icy water, hearing the host's sweet comments while talking to Brantley Maxwell.Their only topic of conversation was none other than Serena and Brantley's "child," accompanied by a photo as proof."Our child is quite a genius. He's only two years old, but he can construct one to two sentences and speaks clearly. He's also tall for his age and very, very brave, regardless of his limits. I think he takes after Serena's personality. I can't help but feel proud of our son."The man proudly showcased their supposed child with Serena. Meanwhile, the photo continued to haunt Ezekiel's heart.If this were just a dream, he would want to wake up and rise to face his wife.The anger he felt earlier upon seeing Brantley Maxwell on TV was quickly overshadowed by shock and a strange fe
"I can't believe Serena has a child!""Yes! They really have a child with Brantley!""You guys were together for three years, right? Don't you have any children?""Why? They were together with Sir Heskel for almost three years too, but they didn't have any children!""Maybe Serena just didn't want to get pregnant with Sir Heskel; maybe she preferred Brantley.""Does Sir Heskel know about this?"Ezekiel overheard all the maids' conversations as he entered the living room of the mansion. When they saw him, they immediately fell silent and turned to look at him in surprise."S-Sir Heskel! You're home already?" Panying nervously spoke up.He saw the state of the TV and the vacuum cleaner in the room, which the women were currently cleaning.But instead of asking about what happened, he had a dark expression as he asked Panying, "Where's Serena?""She's in her room, sir..."He hurriedly walked towards it. The only thing on his mind now was to face Serena. He wanted to hear directly from hi
As Ezekiel looked at a young boy being held by a girl, a blank expression appeared on his face."W-What do you want? Who are you?" The girl held the boy tightly, surrounded by Ezekiel's men.Because Serena had finally fixed her cellphone and retrieved the information she had contacted before, they quickly found the whereabouts of Serena's child in less than a week.It wasn't Brantley whom Serena contacted that day, but her child.Because Ezekiel wanted their actions to remain quiet, he decided to take the child from the family taking care of him. He didn't expect the girl in front of him to be willing to protect the child."Give me that thing." Due to his blank and dark appearance while pointing at the child, the girl became extremely scared and took a step back.He sat down and gripped his senses tightly.This is the same place where he killed the men who were involved in Brantley's plan to sell Serena on the black market.His men positioned themselves to prevent the girl from retrea
"S-Sir Heskel?" Panying's lively greeting was filled with surprise.Ezekiel entered, not only carrying himself but also holding a young boy who was sleeping in his arms."Whose child is that, Sir Heskel?" Panying curiously asked, trying to catch a glimpse of the child, but Ezekiel blocked her view."Don't make a fuss about it," he said seriously.Since it was already late at night, there were no other helpers around except for Panying, whom he had informed of his arrival today after being gone for almost a week.She could do nothing but follow him and quietly close the mansion's door, turning off the remaining lights.As Ezekiel went up to his room, he laid the child on his own bed and watched him sleep peacefully for a moment."Boss, I'm sorry, but the DNA test results don't match yours and the child's. And I don't see any resemblance between the two of you. I'm sorry," Ramil's words echoed repeatedly in his mind after receiving the DNA test results. Even when he left the room and he
The secret he had been keeping until now was that he fell in love in the most ridiculous way possible.During those times when he had no one to hold onto because of the consecutive events in his life, he clung to his fantasies in his mind. He escaped the reality of missing his mother, his father marrying his mother's sister, and having an orphaned sister, by loving an actress.That actress had never seen him before, but he always watched her. She became his savior, even without her knowing. He found a reason to live another day because of her.The anticipation of seeing her act on the television screen, her beauty and talent shining through as he witnessed her grow up...It all sounded ridiculous, and anyone who knew his secret would surely laugh at him. But that was the truth of why he managed to fight off his deep depression.He fantasized about her, idolized her, and even dreamed of meeting her in person."I-I..." thinking about it now makes his voice hoarse, unable to confess to h
"SERENA! Why are you still awake? Where have you been?"I snapped back to reality when Panying woke me up, accidentally bumping into her while walking back to my room."P-Panying..." I weakly held onto her for support."Oh! What's happening to you?" Despite her annoyed tone, she carefully supported me to prevent me from falling. "Why?""S-Sir Ezekiel..."I heard her gulp. "D-Did you see the child he was carrying? Is that why you're like this?"My eyes widened as I met her gaze, instantly forgetting what I wanted to say earlier. "C-Child?"She nodded. "Yes. The young boy he was carrying when he entered earlier. I'm not sure because I didn't see his face..." she whispered. "But he has never brought a child inside before. So my suspicion is... the child is his illegitimate child."I blinked and blinked again, trying to process her words. "W-What? Do you know where he took the child?""Well, most likely to his room. That's where he went straight to!"I immediately felt a surge of anticipa
As I watched Duziell sleep again, memories of the time I was with Brantley came flooding back.Never once have we had sex. I was already pregnant with Duziell when we lived together. Almost a year later, after I gave birth to him, his treatment towards me started to change in a negative way.It wasn't just the attempt to touch me that disgusted him, but he also despised me. None of the promises he made to me were fulfilled.He told me not to label myself as "second hand," but he made me feel that way multiple times. How ugly my body was and how repulsed he was by it.He promised me a healthy relationship and that together we'd build a harmonious family, which obviously never happened.All the emotional, mental, and physical abuse I received from him left deep scars. And the truth is, a part of me wishes I hadn't left Ezekiel's mansion. Every time I undergo the lowest point of my life, I wish I should've fought for the position in Ezekiel's heart. Then maybe my son and I have suffered
"I'm almost done," Ezekiel said, adjusting his necktie in front of the mirror."I think the navy blue necktie you wore earlier suits you better."Though he wasn't asking for my opinion, I still blurted it out. Because the navy blue color complements his appearance more than the black.He paused in what he was doing and turned to look at me. "Which necktie?""The navy blue one."He quickly removed the neatly tied black necktie before taking the one I suggested."Do you mind?" He walked towards me and handed it to me.Without thinking, I accepted it. "What am I supposed to do with this?""Put it on me.""Huh?" I hesitated, but my arms instinctively reached up to adjust it around his neck. "Okay."He lowered himself so that the height difference between us wouldn't be too difficult.Because I have played the role of a wife in teleseryes, I have learned how to do this.It's the first time I'm going to do this with him, though."You should sleep in this room with our son when I'm away," he
"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