Natalia's POVI slowly opened my eyes, my mind groggy. A wave of dizziness and nausea washed over me as I tried to lift my head. My gaze fluttered around the unfamiliar hospital room as the scent of antiseptic wafted through my nostrils."Where am I?" I muttered my voice hoarse and my head spinning.Gradually, memories of my visit to a hospital, my conversation with Manuel, and the news I had received flooded my mind, increasing the throbbing pain in my head.I let out a painful groan, using all the strength left in me to press the green button by the bedside. After what seemed like an eternity, the door creaked open and the nurse who had taken my blood samples earlier walked into the room. She held a tray with a glass of water on it."How do you feel?" she asked, approaching me.I brushed off her question and grabbed the glass of water, downing it all in one gulp. I exhaled heavily, feeling the instant relief on my patched throat."Where's Dr. Manuel?" I asked, my voice low and impat
Adrian's POV"You're in love with her!!" Miguel exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "¡Anda! Dime la verdad!""No, I'm not!" I vehemently denied it. "¡Por supuesto que no! I'm only attracted to her.""Is that so?" Miguel questioned with a sarcastic tone, giving me his signature arched brow. "You're lying to yourself, big boy. From the way you speak about her, it's obvious you're in love with her. Uff...I don't know what to say, man.""Yeah," I sighed. "I'm confused too. I haven't felt this way before.""Wow, Adrian. Who would have thought eh? Playboy billionaire got bitten by the love bug? It's true love changes people," Miguel exclaimed, his lips curved in a smirk."When was the last time you expressed your feelings to anyone like this? You should indulge these feelings... I'm really interested in seeing the new changes it would cause.""Shut up, Miguel" I snapped, slightly irritated at his truth. "What if she doesn't feel the same way I do? That bastard called Gabriel made
Natalia's POV It was not difficult finding the Cruz Estate, since it seems the cab I had ordered had been to the place a couple of times. I was stopped at the checkpoint and had my body and bag checked with a metal detector. I felt it took almost forever before the security guard decided to let me in. It seemed the estate had its own personal cabs, so I ordered one and gave the driver the exact description I got from Barrio. The driver looked a bit taken aback at first, but he agreed to take me there since I was paying. I slipped into the back seat and stared out the window, lost in thought as we drove in complete silence. Finally, the car slowed, and he pulled up in front of a large, imposing gate. I alighted from the car, staring at the gate with my mouth agape. It was the first time I was seeing a gate as large as the one protecting Gabriel's mansion. There was no security guard at the post so I assumed the estate was heavily guarded since the house had no security measures put
Madrileno's POV "Answer me!" I fired, my blood boiling with seething rage. I really wasn't expecting such news from her, but I should have known such a thing was inevitable. We had fucked without protection, so the pregnancy wasn't supposed to be a shock. It was unplanned for, but with each passing second, I was beginning to welcome the idea of being a father. The only person I needed to deal with at the moment was Natalia. Knowing her for so long had made it easier for me to understand how dark her heart was. She could tread on thorns to get what she wanted. Asking her such question was unnecessary. I mean, I should have just told her what I intended to do, but a large part of me wanted to hear what she felt, and the reply I got, shook me to the core. "Fine! I want nothing to do with this child!" she yelled, her breath ragged. "I don't want this bastard in my tummy. I want to get rid of it." "Did you just call my child a bastard?" I bellowed as the last string of my patience thr
Mysterious man's POV"What brings you to my humble abode, Flynn?" I asked my my eyes narrowing on the young figure standing before me in the dimly lit room.We only met when we had something important to discuss, and I was eager to hear what he had to say."It's been a while, jefe. Aren't you just too humble to call this huge mansion a humble abode?" Flynn replied, his tone full of praise. "I bring relevant news to you, boss. It's something you would love to hear."My ears quivered with excitement. "Does it concern the young brat I asked you to watch out for?""Absolutely, jefe," Flynn responded with a confident tone."Out with it!" I urged, impatience clear in my tone.Flynn cleared his throat and spoke. "The young man we speak of actually has an heir- a male child.""What?!" I exclaimed, standing up from my high leather chair. "Are you sure of what you're saying?""I'm certain he has a son, boss," Flynn replied. "I personally checked the paternity test result myself and it was pos
Adrian's POVIt was hard to shake thoughts of the spontaneous dinner date with Joyce that was still to come, so I forced myself to focus on something productive to keep my mind occupied.A few hours ago, I called Javier and assigned him the task of monitoring Elizabeth and her investigator's movement. I hadn't disclosed my plans to him, but it wasn't hard convincing him since we had a common goal in my mind- to protect the innocent people who had nothing to do with our strife.I glanced over at Joyce, her focus still fixed firmly on her computer, unchanged since our last exchange. There was no way her heart wouldn't be troubled knowing her life and Rafael's were in danger. I really wanted to assure her that everything was going to be fine."Joyce, you..."A light tap on the door cut me off. I was a bit irritated by the interruption, but I had to let the person in.It was Claire, the new secretary we had hired."Good day to you, sir" she greeted politely."What do you want, Claire?" "I
Natalia's POVI hadn't felt this oppressed for a very long time. But now, Madrileno had made me understand the feelings of those I had hurt or put in a tight spot.I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist in rage as I recalled the moment he had shown me the mini recorder. He was the last person I expected to do such a thing, but letting my guard down made me realize how dangerous it was to underestimate people, especially those you had offended. ¿Cómo pude ser tan estúpida?I stood by the roadside, waiting for the cab I had ordered. I was glad I had left his home immediately. The environment was pleasant to a normal person, but to me, it was suffocating. I felt like I was being strangled by an unknown force.The hooting of a car horn grabbed my attention. The driver pulled down the glass window and peeked through."Ma'am, are you going or not?" he asked."Yes," I muttered in reply.I hastily opened the car, got in, and closed it. The moment the ride began, I went right back into my th
Luis' POVThanks to my wretched fiancee, I was here, pride in tatters, groveling before one of the most influential men in the business world, the man I despised the most.I suddenly received a message from one of the bodyguards I had assigned to protect her. It seemed they were smart enough to recognize Adrian immediately, but that dumb lady had acted without her brain.My relationship with her could never be considered a genuine one because I had always known she was only with me for my wealth and status, but still, I valued the benefits I received from her.At first, I wanted to ignore the issue and let her spend a day or two in the cell, but then, my mother reminded me of the damage it could do to our family’s image if word spread. Besides, I had already announced my engagement to the world; if word got out, it would irreparably tarnish my image and that was not an option.My first stop was the police station. I had managed to speak to Ligia after giving the warden a small tip. In
Natalia's POVI had never been subjected to such barbaric punishment in my life. I should have just listened to Christina when she warned me, but I had let my anger take over. I then realized that the big boss was not feared for nothing. His reputation truly preceded him in every way. He was ruthless and brutal. He wasn’t a man who tolerated disobedience—or weakness. I learned the hard way.No wonder Christina couldn't fight back when she was physically abused. Talking about Christina, I still had a score to settle with her.Lying in bed for a week had been tiring. The pain was still there, my body was still sore but staying in my room for one more day could kill me. I had to go out there. I needed to see how that wretched woman and her brat were doing. I secretly wished she suffered the same fate as I did but knew that was impossible. the boss never wanted his hostages tainted in any way.I felt my anger begin to bubble beneath the surface. Even now, she was still preferred over me.
Natalia's POVI had never been subjected to such barbaric punishment in my life. I should have just listened to Christina when she warned me, but I had let my anger take over. It was then I realized that the big boss was not feared for nothing.No wonder Christina couldn't fight back when she was physically abused. Talking about Christina, I still had a score to settle with her.Lying in bed for a week had been tiring. The pain was still there, but staying in my room for one more day could kill me.Walking out of my room, I didn't know what led me to the room Joyce was locked up. The moment I saw the big boss come out of the room, I quickly hid.I had a feeling he knew someone was watching him but decided to ignore it. Better still, I had come this far and wasn't going back.I took a deep breath and stepped forward, opening the door without knocking.Joyce turned to look at me, her expression flickering between surprise and exhaustion. She looked frail, but her eyes still burned with
Joyce's POV"You're still trying to prove your stubbornness, aren't you?" Lionel smiled, his voice full of mockery. "Soon you'll have no choice but to let yourself succumb to my advances."For a week now, that pervert has been harassing me with threats. At one point, he starved me just because I made him angry. The way he talks and acts is always irritating, and it always makes me want to throw up. I was fed up with the sight of him.Well, at least, he ensured my son was well-fed as a way to appease me. But even that felt like a mockery—a calculated cruelty meant to keep me compliant."Mr. Lionel, men like you should be married," I stated accusingly.Lionel simply shrugged, a sly grin stretching across his face. "Yes, I am. I also have a mistress and I don't mind having you as the second one. Don't worry, you have nothing to be wary of. Like I said earlier, money isn't the problem.""Ugh... How many times do you want me to spell it out to you?" I scoffed in disgust. "I want nothing to
ADRIAN'S POV"Fine, let's work together. The police will assist us."Those were the last words I had spoken to Gabriel before Detective Torres suggested we have a meeting in his office. I had seen the incredulous look he shot at me when I agreed to work with Gabriel; like I had suddenly grown a second head with two horns. I decided to play it cool and act as though I hadn't caught that. I watched as the weak man was unstrapped from the chair and laid on a stretcher. The nurses attending to him applied first aid, cleaned up his wounds, set up a line, and whisked him out of the cell.Honestly, I was taken aback that I had agreed to work with him. What if t this was just another one of his manipulative game for him? What if he has something else planned? My family depends on this, but is it worth the risk? How many times had I underestimated him before? Was I doing it again now? It was a risky decision, yet my instincts weren’t giving me the warnings they normally did."Sir, we should
Adrian's POVIt's been a week since that bastard who calls himself Gabriel refused to tell the truth. Shockingly, I had been so occupied with issues at the company that I hadn't gotten time to balance my emotions properly. My eyes had dark circles around them like ominous curtains, my stubble had grown out, matching my disheveled state of mind, and I was a complete shadow of myself.Miguel still had nothing. No updates, no footage, no break, nothing. Whoever had taken them was yet to contact me for any demands, negotiations, or ransom. It was as though they had vanished into thin air, leaving me to face my demons.It was so hectic that I had become unable to control my anger. Most of the workers had become unwitting victims of my misplaced aggression.I sat trying to attend to the documents before me, going over them as fast as possible so I might leave for the police station. It was futile, though, as my mind was elsewhere: were they safe, was she alive, was Rafael okay? The uncertai
Gabriel's POVIt all felt so surreal, like a dream from the moment the cops barged into my house and arrested me till now. Never had such a thing happened in my whole life as a Moreno. Me, Gabriel Moreno, reduced to this pitiful state? My pride, my ego—it was shattered into irreparable shards. Life has been so unfair, unjust, and so relentlessly cruel to me. It was tiring, and I had thought of ending it countless times. If only I had gotten the woman I've always wanted in my life, maybe things would have been different; everything would’ve aligned perfectly. But no. Maybe.....just then, I heard footsteps approaching and snapped out of my thoughts. I couldn't turn to see who it was, because my hands were strapped to a chair, but the suffocating pressure that increased as the man approached reminded me of a particular person, and just before I could guess who the person was, I heard a familiar voice."He looks okay. Has the interrogation not begun?" I heard the man ask.That voice. I
Adrian's POV"What have you found?" I asked, my eyes on Miguel as he kept typing away furiously on the keyboard.His expression looked disturbed, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding—a sickening feeling gnawing at my gut. My heart thudded painfully in my chest. Something was clearly wrong, but he didn't want to reveal it to me."Miguel," I called, raising my voice and revealing impatience. I could feel the burn rise in my chest as my breaths came in shallow bursts. "What's wrong Miguel? Que? Answer me man!"Miguel sighed dejectedly then finally turned his eyes towards me, worry shadowing the lines of his face. "There is nothing-""What?!" Michelle gasped in shock, her voice hoarse. "No no no no! ¡Esto no puede estar pasando! Have you checked the toy section and also the pajamas section? That was exactly where the attendant and I left her. She has to have been captured by the cameras.""Sadly, she isn't," Miguel replied, his frown deepening as he fidgeted with the mouse.
Joyce's POVI blinked my eyes to stop the tears threatening to fall. No! I didn't want to give Natalia the privilege of seeing me vulnerable. Despite my efforts to not hate her, she kept stepping on my toes.What baffled me the most was the enemy she hinted about earlier. Admittedly, Adrian had many enemies and business rivals, but for someone to actually plan something as daring and repulsive as abducting a child? It would have to be a very powerful individual, someone who knew just where to hit. The last time someone -Elizabeth to be precise- tried this, it was a futile attempt.I kept sparing furtive glances at my baby placed on an old and dusty sofa. He was still asleep. His small chest rose and then fell, but his cheeks had reddened slightly and he looked so helpless. Panic clawed at my chest. What if he got sick while inhaling the dust? The thought that he was inhaling thick musty air made my stomach suddenly turn. I felt a grip in my heart at what could happen in case he did
Natalia's POVI could feel a sharp pain in my hand, seconds after I slapped the bitch sitting right in front of me. How dare she talk to me like that? Her words cut deep into my heart and I couldn't help but vent my anger with that slap.I wasn't satisfied. I badly wanted to claw her face and pull every strand of hair on her head out till she was bald. I wanted to set her on fire and watch her scream in excruciating pain.I know those around me were baffled by the level of hatred I had for my blood, but that was it, I honestly didn't care. I despised her greatly."You slut!" I heard her cuss. "Did you just hit me?"I snorted in laughter. "Si. Yes, I did. Tell me, what do you want to do about it?"She didn't reply and simply looked at me with hatred in her eyes. I had never seen such fierce hatred in her eyes before and honestly, it took me by surprise. Yet, I wasn't done with the mockery."You can hit me back if you can," I added with sarcasm in my voice."You're soulless, Natalia. You