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
"If you have something to say, then don't say it in front of my child.""HA!" she exclaimed. "Well, your child is facing the other way, isn't he? Can I say it now? Why? Isn't it better for him to know at a young age that he's a child born out of wedlock?! So you won't have any more secrets to reveal!"I trembled but maintained a calm voice. "Can you please shut your vulgar mouth, Davina? Can't you speak without shouting?"Duziell's body is shaking right now from the angry shouts of this woman."You are the definition of vulgarity, Serena!" she retorted. "Aren't you ashamed of your shamelessness? It seems like there's no limit to your audacity! Not only did you cheat, but you also brought the product of your infidelity!""You have no right to speak here, Davina. First of all, it was Ezekiel who brought this child here." I stared at her with sharpness despite my low voice."Of course! It's obvious! It's clear how you've manipulated Sir Heskel! I can't understand what kind of spell you g
"If I tell you, will you really listen to me, Panying?" I asked her with a heavy heart and nervousness. "Will you believe me? Because ever since I returned here, all I've heard from you is judgment and insults towards my entire being. You raised your hand against me, even without hearing my side. So why now, Panying?""I'm sorry, Serena, but I can't blame you." Her eyes immediately turned red. "Sir Heskel almost killed himself, and you just came back.""W-What?""You don't know how painful it was for me to see him like that—going crazy searching for you. He kept asking me if you had come back, where you were, and how you were doing. What could I answer him? I don't know why you ran away. I don't know why you went with another man. Suddenly, when I came back one day, I found out that you were gone."A lump formed in my throat. I couldn't imagine the impact of my departure from the mansion on Ezekiel.I couldn't see him sad, crying, or going crazy because of my leaving. In my mind's ima
"What do you think would make me still choose to give birth to Ezekiel's child if I supposedly love someone else, Panying?" I questioned her. "I knew back then that he was deceiving me for Marian, but I still told myself that if he chose me and our unborn child, I would stay with him. But what they did with Marian was a slap in the face!""S-Serena, I'm sorry, but I can't believe what you're saying now. It's just impossible for Sir Heskel to do that," she countered. "Because if he were a womanizer, if something happened between him and that woman while you two were together—I just can't explain why he was so devastated when you left him!""I didn't feel that level of love from him, Panying.""Well, how could you? If he wasn't busy with work, you are! You two were rarely together, and you treated each other with hostility. Ma'am Raquel also constantly complained to Sir Heskel about how much you despised and detested him. Sir didn't know how to treat you in a way that you would like. I
“Sleep now, Serena.”Ezekiel's eyes were heavy as he finished his work.Finally, he stood up from his desk in the office. I felt as if I was the one who got tired and sore for him, even though I was just watching him on my cellphone screen.“You should rest too,” I said with a faint smile. “I’ll hang up now.”He brought the cellphone closer to his face as he walked. “Will you call again tomorrow?”I raised both my eyebrows. “Do you want me to? Aren’t you worried that I have a cellphone now and I can call anyone?”No matter how he turned the camera, his perfect eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips, and jawline were undeniable. He really looked like a celebrity. No, he looked more like a celebrity than all the celebrities in this country.If only he had become an actor, maybe he could have been my on-screen partner.“Don’t worry, once I get back, I'll have that phone checked,” he suddenly responded seriously. “If you break it or try to hide anything, I'll send our son away. You're not going to se
"RAQUEL, why do I need to wait this long for us to be together?" Brantley's lips landed on Raquel's exposed shoulder."Are you being impatient?" she asked in a very strict voice."You know how I'm always being patient to wait." The actor hugged her from behind and kissed her neck one after the other.Raquel looked out of her window, holding a glass of wine filled with resentment in her eyes.In the middle of Brantley's pleasuring her, she suddenly burst into laughter."That fucking bitch," she muttered. "All my hard work went for nothing. If we had just killed her, I wouldn't have any problems.""I told you that many times, but you still insist on making her suffer until she makes her last breath on her own." Brantley's voice was low, carefully not to provoke her."But it’s your fault that Ezekiel found her at the last minute. You're so stupid.""I'm sorry.""If you had made sure she could be sold to the man I mentioned, I would have fulfilled all my plans by now.""I'm so sorry.""Sor
"Ma'am Serena, wherever you are now, I hope you are in good condition and that one day you will read this."I sat on the hard wooden bed while reading the letter, while Freya, Faye's sister, anxiously watched me.In the back of my memory, I remembered that this was Faye's handwriting; I often saw her writing back then."I kept my mouth shut when I accidentally found out about Ma'am Raquel and Sir Brantley's plan against you and Sir Ezekiel. Because my mother was sick at that time, I accepted the money that Ma'am Raquel gave me without hesitation, not even knowing her conditions and schemes. I thought she was being kind to me. On the day my mother had her operation, it was also the day she ordered me to do what she wanted. She said that if I succeeded in what I was going to do, the operation would also be successful. If not, I should prepare my mother's coffin.""Out of fear that it would happen, despite our bond and yours with Sir Ezekiel, I turned my back on both of you. I had no othe
"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