IT WAS near evening when Marsha woke up. Looking around at the room filled with spider webs and dust, the little girl could not help but feel the fear crawling over her skin. The room was dark all over again, forcing her to turn on the lamp, whose light kept cutting in and out like a Christmas light she used to admire whenever she looked up at Christmas trees.The place was oddly silent. Afraid that her nanny might have left her, Marsha ran to the door and swung it open. Her eyes roamed around the empty living room, and she got scared immediately because of its darkness."N-Na-Mommy…?" she called to her Nanny Anna.She walked around, scratching her hair. It was already oily, and smelling. It had been a couple of days since the last time she took a bath, and she badly wanted to take one now. However, she was afraid to open it up to her nanny, knowing that she was quick to get upset since they left the villa."Mommy… Daddy…" Marsha mumbled as she took a look around until another door pi
SILENCE and darkness still enveloped the entire living room as Marsha went out of her room. Her little body started to tremble as her eyes darted to the other door, where her Nanny Anna was asleep inside. She stood in her direction for a few seconds, checking if she’d heard any noise from that room.When she confirmed the silence, indicating that her nanny was still asleep, she began to walk on her tiptoes... slowly and quietly until she was able to reach the front door.Her breathing was heavy as she looked at the front door. Marsha then spun around and checked Anna’s room again, and the door was still closed.Taking a sigh of relief, she proceeded to hold the door knob and turn it as quietly as possible. The cold night breeze entered instantly as she slowly pulled the door open to avoid any noise that would wake up her nanny.Once successful, she stood at the front door. Unable to make any move and was still trembling. Her hand took the phone that she slid into her shorts’ pocket, g
THE WORST thing about an ongoing kidnapping case would be having to stay in the car to wait for things to happen. That was what Michelle had felt the moment Ethan finally entered the abandoned house and was reunited with their daughter."Come on. Leave that house now… Ethan," Michelle mumbled, her lips quivering, and her hands clasped together.She was totally anxious. Why weren’t they coming out yet? Why weren’t the cops moving? Weren’t they supposed to raid the house now since Ethan had finally had their daughter in his arms?Michelle swallowed so hard. After a few more glances around the abandoned house, she felt compelled to step in. She wouldn’t wait inside the car anymore. Marsha needed her too.That said, despite her entire body trembling in fear and anxiety, she pushed the car door open and quickly went out. She managed to run and cross the road even though her lungs were running out of air. The only thing she had in mind was to save her family and that Ellaine Suarez should b
"ARE YOU hurt?"Michelle pulled back and looked at her old man, who then caressed her arm and scanned her entire physique as if he wanted to make sure she was fine. She could not believe she was seeing her father in the flesh, with that deep concern evident in his brown eyes and with a little frown embedded on his forehead.Since her mother died, Gregory Finley had become a stranger to her. The father, who was supposed to be his daughter’s greatest strength and anchor, was not able to fulfill his responsibilities, so Michelle had to stand all by herself at a young age. She wouldn’t deny that she had loathed him for not appreciating everything she did in order to help him, and she gave up on him the way he gave up on her.But now... now that she looked at the man who was giving her a fatherly stare—the kind of stare that told her he missed his daughter so much and had been worried about her situation—she couldn’t help but cry like a
"ETHAN!"Michelle’s deep concern was visible in her expression as she looked at her husband, who then blinked slowly while he looked back at her. She couldn’t contain her happiness. It was the only thing she’d been waiting for... for Ethan to wake up so her life would turn bright again.She held her hand, squeezing it to convince herself it wasn’t a dream. The warmth of his hand had been her constant reminder that she was in reality, and right now she wasn’t dreaming. Tears streamed down her face. All she could feel was happiness."Oh, my goodness. I’m so happy that you’re awake," she uttered in great relief and embraced him. "You scared me. Are you hurt elsewhere? Do you need something?"Ethan shook his head, giving her a little frown. "N-No…" His voice was hoarse."Oh, thank goodness!""But who are you?" Ethan asked.Michelle stiffened in her direction. It felt as though her senses ha
"HAVE I mentioned that working at home isn’t allowed yet?"Ethan’s gaze went in her direction. Michelle stood in the doorframe of his home office, one eyebrow raised as if she were some strict wife who didn't want to see her husband working two weeks after he was shot.He adjusted his eyeglasses, pursed his lips carefully as he had just gotten caught, and cleared his throat afterward."This is an important proposal I have to check through," Ethan reasoned as he showed her the document.Michelle fought the urge to roll her eyes. It had been only three days since Ethan was discharged from the hospital, as they had some issues with his breathing and had to get it checked by a pulmonary doctor. They had to wait for the clearance, and when it was released, she couldn’t be any happier. Ethan told her so many times that he didn’t like to stay in the hospital and would have preferred to rest at home. She wanted that set up too. But now tha
IT WASN’T the first time he said he wanted to get married soon.In fact, Michelle had been hearing it from him at the hospital, and she would always agree, as there was no reason for her not to marry the man who she loved the most.But how come an overly used sentence could still bring a fascinating feeling to her whenever Ethan said it in the sweetest way?She smiled and nodded in agreement.They stared at each other for quite a long time, and Michelle couldn’t figure out how a billionaire like him came into her life and completely changed it into something beyond imaginable. Sure, they didn’t have a great start as their minds were both twisted by some necessities. But right now, she would say everything was different."Then I’ll tell mom to screw the extravagant birthday celebration. We should go for a solemn wedding. You can tell me the set up you want and I’ll make it happen," Ethan said, assuring her that whatever
MICHELLE and Megan were all smiles as they left the boutique after they paid for the wedding gown.“I can’t wait to wear this to my wedding,” she said as she put the big white box on the passenger seat. She heard Megan chuckle, putting her bridesmaid gown on the other side of the seat before she went into the driver’s seat.Michelle got into the front seat and put her seat belt on.“Don’t you think it was so stressful to look for the gown? How about we go for a coffee before I send you back home?” Megan suggested as she started the engine of the car.“Sure. Ethan and Marsha want me to buy them burgers and pizza,” Michelle said.“For sure, your painters must be so tired.”They both laughed.The sun was about to set when they arrived at the cafe near her home. After ordering some croissants and coffee, they sat at the table where they could see the city view and the sunse
"THE VICTIMS were sent to the hospital for proper treatment," the cops told her the moment she arrived in the area where the accident happened. Michelle could not stop crying and asked the policeman which hospital her husband had been brought to, driving immediately as soon as she got the answer she needed. She dialed Megan’s phone number and informed her best friend about the name of the hospital so she could follow because she knew that Andrew also needed her. When she arrived in the hospital, she felt nothing but the dreadful feeling coursing through her. She wanted to compose herself, but her mind was already haywire because of all the worry she had for her husband. It felt like the rest of the world stopped revolving, and all she did was run and run... "Two victims of a car accident were sent to this hospital. Where are they?" she managed to ask the front desk officer. "How are you related to the victims, Ma’am?" "I am the wife of one of them," she answered, taking a deep bre
MICHELLE walked down the stairs with Marcus in her arms. She just finished breastfeeding him and now wanted to hang out with the people in the garden.The Steinfields, her father, and Megan were all out there, preparing for the New Year’s Eve that they would celebrate that night. They all came together to welcome another New Year, and she could not be more thankful that these people came to their house to join them for another chapter of their lives."Look at that little pumpkin. He has gotten bigger, Mich," Gregory commented and immediately took his grandson from her arms.Michelle giggled. "That baby loves to sleep and eat every single time.""He looks definitely like you when you were a baby.""I believe he definitely looks like Ethan. See those marble gray eyes, Dad?"Gregory chuckled. "Well, eyes won’t lie, I guess.""Of course, Dad."She could not help but smile seeing her father try to make Marcus giggle by making faces. It was such an adorable sight, and she felt honored to wi
SHE glanced around the men's boutique, her curious eyes efficiently trying to find good clothes or anything she could give Ethan as a gift for their year-end party. Ethan already had anything; name it and anyone would find it in his vast walk-in closet. That being said, Michelle was having difficulty deciding on the best gift she could give him—that one thing that would make him smile and surprise him."There are so many designer shoes at that corner. But I don’t know which one is good for Andrew," Megan stated, and it was followed with a sigh of defeat. "God, why is it so hard to find gifts for men?"Michelle laughed a bit. She could relate, as she was having difficulty choosing too. It just so happened that they both married men who had everything, so every year they’d end up cracking their heads trying to get them nice gifts."Are you able to choose anything?" Megan curiously asked her.She shook her head, pouting her lips. "Not yet. I don’t think work suits would be a good gift. H
HE brushed his fingertips over the soft angles of his wife’s face and could not help but adore every feature she had. It was his morning routine whenever he got to wake up first in the morning, and he would find his wife still sleeping soundly next to him.Needless to say, he’d become easily addicted to her and to this kind of morning with her. Her strawberry scent that kept him enticed every single day, her soft skin that kept him warm at nights, her laughter and soft touches that kept him sated and content, and her presence that made his world colorfulHe had no idea that a man like him, who had amnesia, could be in love so hard; madly and deeply. However, he wanted to treasure that moment at all costs. This kind of beauty in his life needed to be protected and kept.Michelle’s forehead formed a knot as she lifted her head. A soft moan escaped her closed mouth, which made him smile. Seconds later, she slowly opened her eyes and met his intent gaze."Good morning," he murmured under
"YOU’RE making me crave for sex," Ethan said, kissing her neck and sucking her skin sensually.Michelle’s lips parted. She was in deep pleasure, and whenever Ethan would say things like that, a big lustful part of her was getting more aroused.Her hands traveled around his firm back. She touched the muscles he had there. A moan escaped her lips when Ethan bit her neck firmly, making her dig her nails over her bare skin. She bit her lower lip and shut her eyes, but when Ethan claimed her lips again, everything went so fuzzy.It didn’t take long before the man was able to strip her naked. The cold air brushed against her skin, making her shiver. But when Ethan pulled up to stare at—admire—her naked body, she felt the scorching heat go to her. He looked at her as if she were a piece of beautiful art. The gleaming desire to take her was evident in his marble gray eyes, and the smile of contentment that curled in his lips gave her more confidence."You’re beautiful, Mich..." Ethan said bre
The ring of her cell phone jolted her awake. With a forehead crease, Michelle rose up and quickly turned off the alarm on her cell phone. It was already 6 o’clock in the morning. She hadn’t been able to sleep for at least six hours, but she had to get up and follow the "mom on call" schedule to better take care of her little sunshine—none other than Eionn Marcus.It had been what? A month had passed when she gave birth to their second child, and Michelle could still feel the excitement getting through her whenever she would walk into the nursery room, open the curtained windows to let the sunlight lighten up the entire solemn place, and wake up her little one by planting kisses on his fluffy cheeks.It had been her morning routine. She was strictly following the "mom on call" schedule because it wasn’t only giving her much time to bond with her baby but also making sure that Marcus’ health was always a top priority."Good morning, my little sunshine..." she greeted her baby with a hea
THE CAR was filled with her whimpers, cries and screams. Her nails dug over the leather seat in the passenger seat. She was lying down there, making a few deep breaths to relax herself but the great amount of pain consuming her entire body was making her ballistic and a mess.Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead. Her legs and belly were both getting numb as the minutes passed by. Ethan was driving the car so fast, completely alarmed by her situation. He was panicking so much, and so even she was in great pain, she reminded him to drive carefully as she didn’t want them to get into some road accident.“Oh, my God...” she murmured, crying. “I think I’m going to die. He’s coming out. Faster, Ethan!”“Uhm, you just told me to slow down a bit,” Ethan said nervously.“Fuck. I swear this will be the last time you’d be able to impregnate me!” she screamed on the top of her lungs and made a push before she took a few deep breaths again. “I really swear to God—““Calm down, Mich! We’re on
AFTER A MONTH, "WILL you be fine without us?" Michelle looked at her father. At first, she thought that the old man was teasing her, seeing how he curled his lips downward, but she realized that he was actually worried, seeing the worry in his eyes. Still smiling, she took a deep breath and softened her expression as she looked at her father, who she hadn't realized had become more frail as time passed. She was so busy with her life that she wasn’t able to watch out for her father. Distracted by what life had thrown her way, she didn’t notice that her father was really getting older. "I’m going to be fine." She checked over her shoulder and found Ethan, who was fixing a chandelier’s light bulb in the living room. "Ethan will be here, so you shouldn’t worry that much. I hope you and Marsha would enjoy hanging out." Her old man laughed heartily, shaking his head. He and Marsha would go to the school where they enrolled the little girl. It was going to be Marsha’s first day in her ne
"GOSH, you have to calm down, Mich!" Megan said.Michelle shook her head, pacing back and forth in the living room. Her mother-in-law called an hour ago, saying that they would send Ethan back home. Selene did not mention whether the result of the surgery turned out well or not, so she could not calm down a bit even though the people around her were telling her to do so.Megan and Andrew came to visit as they were excited to find out how the surgery went. All of them were in the living room, waiting for her husband to arrive. Holding her pregnant belly, she didn’t stop walking around, getting very impatient as she wanted to know how the surgery turned out for Ethan."I don’t understand why Mom didn’t tell me how it went," she said and stopped in front of them, biting her fingernails. "Do you think it went bad and that’s why she couldn’t tell me?""We can’t assume, Mich," her father said, sipping on his coffee."Your Dad is right. We can’t assume unless we see it personally," Andrew ad