**Meriam's Perspective** "Mommy, what should I do if Daddy wants to pass the company to Sister Jen?" I asked hesitantly. My sister Jen is capable of running the company. She's intelligent and strategic, and she hasn't relied on being a Villanueva to succeed in business. I don't resent my sister, but Mommy always scolds me when I'm kind to her, so I've grown distant. While I was abroad, Mommy insisted I return to the Philippines because Daddy was retiring, and I was supposed to take over. Sister May isn't interested in the business, and Mommy can't control her either. Mommy always tells Ken and me that one of us should step up to run the company. Even if I don't want to, I can't refuse because Mommy will just give in, which frustrates me. Also, there's a secret that only Ken and I know. Ken warned me not to reveal it to protect Ate Jen from being hurt. We love Sister Jen, which is why we've kept the secret until now. Mommy threatened us that if Sister Jen takes over from Daddy, sh
"Daddy, everyone knows you're pregnant now. Do you think Mom will be happy about this accident?" Daddy asked me as soon as Aira returned to their mansion. Despite my attempts to reach her, she didn't answer. I turned to Raven for help, but he advised me to give Aira space. This morning, while entering my office, Daddy and I overheard discussions in the cubicles about an article that had been released. It mentioned that one of the Villanueva brothers was expecting a child, causing a stir and negative comments among colleagues who didn't even know him. Daddy was so intrigued that he didn't let me go to my desk. Instead, he made me sit in his office and instructed his secretary to find out more. Although the article didn't reveal the man's identity, Daddy knew it referred to me because I was the only one involved with the Villanueva family. "I'm not 100% certain I'm pregnant," I said cautiously. "So you admit it?" Daddy pressed. "Whether I admit it or not, I'm unsure myself," I
Feeling anxious and unsettled, Miguel returned to the mansion, his mind racing with decisions he needed to make. He desperately wanted to create a complete family for Aira and their baby, especially after what he had recently discovered. "I'm from Villanueva's building. Do you have a moment?" his father's voice interrupted as he entered through the main door. "I'll talk to you once I've sorted things out," Miguel replied, trying to gather his thoughts. His immediate priority was reaching Aira to discuss their future and the baby, but his calls went unanswered. Turning to Raven for information, he found even Raven hadn't been in touch with Aira. Seeking advice, he dialed his mother, hoping for her calming influence, but she too didn't pick up. Confusion overwhelmed him, unsure of what steps to take next. His mother's support had always been a constant in tough times like these. "Sir, you're needed," a voice interrupted, knocking on his door. Straightening himself, Miguel followed h
"I'm the one you want to take your place?" Aira asked her father in surprise. The old man nodded and walked over to help Aira up from where she knelt on the floor. "Dad, I have my own business. I'll expand it as much as I can. Even though I'm pregnant, I'll raise my child with my own efforts," Aira replied politely. "Another thing, Dad, I can't compete with my brother for things like this. It's better to give them what they deserve. Thank you for the offer, but I can't accept it," she added, walking towards the door. "I need to rest. I'm feeling unwell," she bid her father goodbye. Inside, the old man was troubled. He knew Aira was the only one capable of running their vast company. However, there was nothing he could do. He respected his son's ability to live life on his own terms, which was why he admired him. From his office, he glanced at his son, feeling sorry for what he had to endure. Lost in thought, he was surprised by his wife's sudden entrance. "What right do you have
"Hello, Raven. Where's Aira? Do you know where she is? Who's with her?" Miguel asked Aira's friend Raven, sounding confused. Miguel drove to the airport, trying to stop Aira. He didn't know why he was doing it, but his mind was filled with problems and doubts. He hadn't expected his father to act so quickly, and he wasn't prepared for any of this. "He's gone to where he belongs. Don't try to find him and don't go after them unless you want to make things worse. I didn't know it would come to this if he loved you. If only I'd known sooner, maybe this wouldn't have happened, and he wouldn't have turned away from the life he's used to," Miguel's conversation partner advised. "I didn't expect any of this. I wasn't ready. I didn't think it would turn out like this," Miguel said tearfully to his companion. "You've met your father. You know what he's capable of, but you let him control you and the future of your family. You have no right over Aira's future child," Raven yelled at Miguel.
"Dyson!" I called out to him. "Why are you making so much noise?" Dyson asked as he approached. "Where did Mom go?" I asked him, getting no direct answer. "Just grocery shopping," he replied simply. "Make sure you eat everything he cooks. Don't be too picky; not everything you like is unhealthy," he added. "I don't like it," I grumbled. "It's healthy. Get used to it. He's been cooking for you for two months now; you should be accustomed to the taste. Don't complain," Dyson said, flicking my forehead lightly. We've been living here in Korea for five months now, in a quiet countryside where we're relatively unknown. We live a simple but happy life. The "Mom" I mentioned is Miguel's mom. Three months after learning that Miguel wasn't actually ill, we discovered that Miguel's father had orchestrated everything. Mr. Martin values pride, wealth, and power above all else. Due to his influence, Mom had no choice but to give up her only child and the life she had built. We witnessed M
"Mom!" I cried out softly. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" she asked, surprised. "Ken and Dyson called me ugly," I reported. "Let them think whatever they want. You're beautiful, don't believe them," she said, gently stroking my hair. I nodded in agreement and released the hug, heading upstairs to rest. I often feel drained, easily tired even when doing nothing. "Raven!" I called out to him. Unable to sleep, I lay there scrolling through my phone. "Why are you shouting?" he asked. "Dyson and Ken said I'm ugly," I said tearfully. "Hahahaha, they said that?" he chuckled. "Yes. Am I really ugly?" I grumbled. "Hahaha, they're just joking. Let me talk to them. You're beautiful," Raven reassured me. "Your husband called!" I informed him. "Yeah, hahaha, we're together. He wants to see how you handle things," he chuckled again. I frowned even more hearing them laugh at me. Am I truly so unattractive? Alone, I stood before the full-length mirror. My body had grown larger, my cheeks a
"What the hell, Ice? How long are you going to stay drunk like this?" Meriam sermonized to Miguel. Since their engagement was announced, they've been living in the same house. Whether they like it or not, there's nothing they can do. They canceled the wedding because Meriam didn't like the man she didn't know well, so the solution was to live together as husband and wife. Since Miguel doesn't see Aira, he gets drunk, spends four hours in the office finishing all his work, then heads to his ex-boyfriend's bar. There, he drinks excessively and sleeps with multiple women. If he has three in one night, he forgets about it the next day. As soon as he approaches one and touches her, he immediately takes her to the VIP room. He returns home to their house and ignores his housemate. "Can you see yourself? You have bruises and mixed lipstick on your lips," Meriam whispered. "Why you? Do you want it too?" Miguel offered to the interlocutor. Meriam slapped him. "Your face is thick. You hur