Gabrielle's Point of View"It doesn't matter what happens to her in your brother's hands. Your Daddy wants Jerome to marry her as soon as possible." Mommy's shawl fell as she explained this to me. I saw a bruise on her arm. She tried to cover it so I wouldn't notice. "Where did that come from?""What bruise? Just follow what I said. Apologize to her parents. When they see Yumi, they'll want her to—" Mom couldn't finish her sentence as I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to me. She tried to leave the room while she was speaking."Dad is still hurting you? I thought he had stopped? I thought he had changed?" I was furious, but Mommy just avoided my gaze."You're not going to tell me? Do I have to confront Dad just to get you to tell me the truth? I thought you were okay here?!" She slapped me across the face. When I looked at her, tears were streaming down her cheeks.I rubbed my face, seeing her sit down because of her crying. I couldn't believe my own mother was going through thi
Gabrielle's Point of View"Why did you agree to this arranged marriage? Why didn’t you stop Dad?" I yelled at my brother after our parents left."Why didn’t you? Why don’t you admit that Eumerriah is pregnant and you’re the father? Or do you want me to tell them and claim that I am the father?" he asked with a smirk.I knew he was just provoking me to start a fight and make me look bad in our parents’ eyes once again."Don't involve my child!" I warned him."Why not? What can you do? Do you really think you know Eumerriah? Do you think she’s just a woman who will agree to live in a shack? You don’t know her!" he said, walking out of the dining area.There was no point in arguing with my worthless brother. All he cares about is his image and Ate Shaira. He doesn’t listen to Mom and Dad, yet he still holds a position in the company, unlike me, whom they have deprived. Rumors are strong that Kuya Jerome will take over Dad’s position if it ever happens. Besides the business, he is the bos
### Eumerriah's Point of ViewIt was already afternoon, but Gabrielle still hadn't come home. I wanted to call him, but my shyness held me back. He had said goodbye so well last night that I didn't expect him to be gone for an entire day.Lola and Kate took care of me. They didn't leave me unattended, though I wanted to help them with what they were doing, but they refused. Lola was making doormats, as she had since Gabrielle's mother was a child. She used to sell them at the market, and sometimes people would buy them in bulk. Even though they had money now and Gabrielle had his own business, she hadn't forgotten how to make doormats because many customers still liked her work."Are you getting bored?" Kate asked me."A little," I replied simply."Maybe you just miss Kuya. We felt the same way at first. Kuya grew up here. I remember he was very stern with me; he hardly spoke to me because he said I wasn't his sister. Then his mom took him to Manila to study. I was three years old the
Eumerriah's Point of ViewAfternoon came, but Gabrielle still hadn't returned. I wanted to call him, but my shyness held me back. He had left properly last night, but I didn't expect him to be gone for an entire day.Lola and Kate took care of me. They didn't neglect me, though I wanted to help with what they were doing, they refused. Lola was making doormats. Since Gabrielle's mother was young, this has been her livelihood. She would sell them at the market, and sometimes they would be bought in bulk. Even though they had money and Gabrielle had other businesses, she never forgot to make doormats because many customers loved her work."Are you getting bored?" Kate asked me."A bit," I answered simply."Maybe you just miss Kuya. We felt the same at first. Kuya grew up here; I remember he used to be so grumpy with me. He almost didn’t want to talk to me because he said I wasn’t his sibling. Until his mother took him and sent him to school in Manila. I was three years old then; he was p
Gabrielle's Point of ViewMy head hurt as I got up. I could see through the window that the sun was already high. I looked around and realized I was in Eumerriah's room. Suddenly, I remembered Yumi. I threw off the blanket wrapped around me and hurried outside."Yumiii!" I called out frantically as I stepped out. I saw her setting the table with food. She smiled when she saw me."Good morning. How was your sleep? Come, let's have breakfast. Do you want milk or coffee?" There was something different about her smile. I felt like something had happened."Good morning! Sorry, you ended up preparing breakfast. I slept well. Where did you sleep? Why was I in your bed?" I asked, scratching my head."Beside you," she replied with a smile. I was surprised. I knew something had happened between us. We were already in a relationship, but I didn't expect to sleep beside her. I didn't want her to be stressed while sleeping, especially since she was pregnant. I knew someone like that."Sorry if I s
### Eumerriah's Point of ViewIt's been about 30 minutes since Gabrielle left. He hurriedly left, and I thought his stomach might have felt bad. He suddenly stopped while I was talking.During the two days he was asleep, I learned to move around on my own. My pregnancy hasn’t hindered my ability to do simple household chores yet. It’s a bit difficult, but I’m determined to learn everything.After a while, I saw that Gabrielle had company. They seemed to be having a serious conversation, so I just watched them from the window. Gabrielle looks more handsome to me as time goes by.He’s tall, has tan skin, abs, and a perfectly shaped face. He has kissable lips and white teeth.They looked at me and waved. I didn’t know what they were talking about, but I waved back. A few moments later, the people Gabrielle was talking to walked away, and he came straight up to me in the living room.“How are you?” he asked and kissed my forehead.“I’m fine. How about you? Did your stomach hurt because of
### Eumerriah's Point of ViewGabrielle built such a huge house. It’s perfect for a big family. I’m happy, but I can’t help feeling a bit sad because of the thoughts running through my mind.Part of me still struggles to sleep these past few days because I keep thinking about Jerome. It might be called cheating, but what can I do if he still crosses my mind?I love Gabrielle; I know that for sure. I’m happy when I’m with him, and I laugh genuinely with him. He made me realize many things. With him, I experienced things Jerome never did for me.With Gabrielle, I never worried about what might happen tomorrow. With him, I wasn’t afraid to show my real self without makeup. With him, I didn’t find it hard to be honest. But with Jerome, I always had to smile, always had to look beautiful in his eyes, and above all, I always had to be a good person.I know the difference, yet I can’t help but think of him. Jerome and I shared five years, on and off camera. I admit, I was happy with Jerome,
Gabrielle’s Point of ViewYumi fainted while crying earlier. I wasn’t sure why, so I immediately brought her home to rest. She probably fainted from exhaustion after everything we did today.I carried her and hurriedly laid her on the bed in our new house. It hasn't been blessed yet, but it’s ready for use.“What happened to Ate Yumi?!” Kate asked worriedly.She had been busy arranging the rooms while Grandma was in the kitchen, putting everything where she could easily reach it.“She might be exhausted,” I answered simply.I covered Eumerriah with a blanket while Kate watched me.“Let’s just let her rest for now. She’s still breathing, so she’s probably fine. I’ll call the doctor from the clinic to check on her,” I said, then closed the bedroom door. I went back to the garden to get my phone and called Manager Kim to come over and see Yumi. I also wanted to know what she said to Eumerriah that made her cry and tremble so much.“Hello, Gabrielle! Where are you, and what happened to Y
Eumerriah's Point of ViewFor so long, Gabrielle and I had been at odds. I couldn't understand why he needed to distance himself from us. All the truths had come out—their marriage to Kristine and how his life had unfolded with Paul. He regretted his choices, and even Paul seemed to notice his mistakes."You really don’t understand me," Gabrielle said, frustration lacing his voice."Then explain it to me!" I shot back, unable to hold back any longer."Okay, let me ask you this. Why did you choose to distance yourself and hide, huh? Fifteen years! Fifteen years I haven't seen or been with my child, and then I find out he's legally Shaira’s child! How do you explain that to me, huh?" he questioned, filled with anger and disappointment."Listen to me!" I said, barely able to contain the pain in my voice. "Shaira lost her child because of your marriage! What do you think I should do? Of course, I thought about our child's safety. If I hadn’t done that, we might not have a child anymore. S
Eumerriah's Point of View“Where is he?” I asked Kate, my curiosity evident.“If you want to know, follow me,” she replied, getting into her car. I nodded, but instead of driving my own car, I hurried into the passenger seat of hers.She furrowed her brow and gave me a questioning look. “Why are you too lazy to drive?” she asked, a hint of irritation in her voice.“I just want to ride in the car of the girl who used to really like me,” I said, trying to make a joke to lighten the tension.“Tsk! If it weren’t for Kuya Gabrielle, I wouldn’t like you,” she retorted, but a playful smile was on her lips.“What do you mean?” I asked, a bit confused, but I knew she was hiding something.“Secret,” she replied, laughing as she drove.I looked out the window, but I couldn’t help smiling. I never thought that the cheerful little girl who used to cling to me, who liked me so much, would turn into a woman who was now even more assertive in front of me.Behind her teasing and boldness, I was please
"Eumerriah!" Kate called out to me, her voice filled with concern.I turned to face her and saw the serious expression on her face."Do you still think about him?" she asked, her voice full of worry. "Do you ever wonder how he’s doing?"I stood silently, trying to block out the people around us. A heaviness settled over me. I thought of Gabrielle. Despite everything that happened, he still held a place in my heart, but I didn’t know how to face him now."What are you trying to say?" I asked, struggling to hide my emotions."I just wanted you to know," Kate began, her voice serious, "that even back then, he struggled with the thought of losing you like that. And now that you’ve suddenly come back, he feels like he failed you, like he didn’t even try to look for you."As I absorbed her words, it felt like a sharp pain erupted in my chest. I could feel Gabrielle’s anguish over the years I was gone, but I couldn’t ignore how he had avoided me and chosen someone else during those times.We
"Another movie you slay!" Shaira greeted, hugging me tightly."My mom is really amazing," Justine complimented. He was now dressed like a young man, his hair neatly styled, and his suit covering his whole body. He looked at me with great admiration, as if he had learned all these things from me."You always look pretty, Mommy," said Dustine, who, despite being young, had simple words that could warm my heart. He smiled at me, his eyes full of happiness and love."Beautiful and endlessly talented," Jayson praised, standing beside me, his eyes full of respect.We had just finished the premiere night of one of our most successful movies with Jerome. The story was filled with emotion, and I never imagined it would turn out like this. After weeks of hard work and exhaustion, this moment brought joy and success to us.We were in the middle of guests, media, and fans who were all celebrating our achievement. Cameras kept flashing, capturing our photos, but my eyes wandered to the loved ones
Eumerriah's Point of ViewFor six months, everything was in order. No fights, no drama, even though I worked closely with Jerome more often now."Is it still him?" Jerome asked."What’s it to you?" I replied, my tone sharp.It was as if he didn’t care about what happened in the past, like he wasn’t the man I once went crazy for."If you had just kept being crazy about me, maybe I could have learned to love you," I teased."Whatever you say," he responded, seemingly indifferent."You’ve become so tough now, like you weren’t once crazy over me," I pressed."It’s been 17 years, and still? Haven’t you moved on? You couldn’t even fight for my best friend, the first man you loved. So why would I expect you to fight for me, when you just used me?" His words stung."It wasn’t my fault my family couldn’t accept him.""It’s your fault you led him on and didn’t truly love him.""And what do you know about real love?""Well, what about you? What do you know? We’re not kids anymore. If you think y
Eumerriah's Point of ViewThree months have passed since Gabrielle’s sudden disappearance, and no one has heard any news from him. Everyone is worried—even Kristine and Kimberly are confused about what’s happening. I don’t know how to tell them that even I have no idea where he is or when he’ll return.Despite everything, Shaira and I have slowly resumed our daily lives. I continue to work for our family, while Shaira stays home to handle the household chores and take care of Justine. The days have flowed smoothly, but the weight of unanswered questions remains ever-present."Has there still been no word from Gabrielle?" Shaira asked as she arranged Dustine's toys on the floor.I shook my head, feeling the sadness settle in my chest. "Even Kristine has been asking me. She said things are chaotic at their company because of his sudden disappearance. Some employees have also asked me if I know anything, but I have nothing to tell them."Shaira paused and sat down beside me. "Anyone woul
Eumerriah's Point of ViewJustine has recovered from his illness, and despite everything that has happened, I am deeply grateful to Gabrielle. His support for us is something I will never forget. However, after our meeting and discovering that his close friend Paul is Kimberly’s real father, it was as if a heavy burden was lifted from him, but I still cannot fully explain what he's truly feeling.It's been two weeks since I learned the truth, but I haven't heard from Gabrielle since. He’s disappeared, and no matter what I do, I can’t find him. His absence feels like a new torment added to my trials.Amid all this, Jayson has been visiting our house more often. Justine refuses to be bathed by anyone else, so we chose not to hire a personal nurse. Sometimes, I see Jayson hiding his true emotions, trying to act like everything is normal, but I know it’s not easy for him.Because of what happened, I had to change my plans. I no longer accepted new jobs and instead started working from hom
Gabrielle's Point of ViewI don’t know how I managed to leave everything behind. Sometimes, it feels like all of this is just a dream—the life I left, the family I destroyed. But this is the reality I created for myself, and with each passing day, it becomes clearer how big a mistake I made.Kristine, the woman I spent so many years with, the mother of my daughter, Kimberly. We built a family together, a family I once dreamed would be happy and whole until the end. But now, that’s gone. And it's my fault.It all started when Eumerriah came back into my life. I never expected to see her again, never thought I’d feel the emotions I had long buried. I thought everything between us was over. I thought I could forget her and move on with my life with Kristine and Kimberly. But when I saw Eumerriah, all those feelings suddenly came rushing back—feelings I never thought would resurface.That’s when my confusion began. I no longer knew what was real or what should be. I started looking for wa
Serenity's Point of ViewI never expected Gabrielle to come back into my life. It’s been a long time since we last saw each other, and so much has happened between us. Yet now, it seems he’s slowly finding ways to reenter my life, even though we don’t share the same roof.It all started with small things. Sometimes, I’d suddenly receive a message from him. They were simple questions like, "How is Justine?" or "Don’t work too hard; you need rest, too." These messages were straightforward, but I couldn’t help but feel a strange warmth in my chest whenever I read them. I never expected to get such messages from Gabrielle, especially since we haven’t been together for a long time.Justine often asks about Gabrielle as well. I know the child struggles to understand our situation, so I just tell him, "He cares about you." But every time I say that, I feel a pang in my heart. Why does Gabrielle still care? What’s the reason?Whenever Gabrielle visits to see Justine, he always brings the chil