**Gabrielle's Point of View**Grandma and Kate kicked me out of my room because they said they needed to clean it. They said the smell of alcohol, cigarettes, and whatever else was decaying was too strong. They mentioned that there were things rotting that I hadn't noticed.For the past two weeks, I only go out to buy alcohol, cigarettes, and anything that might lead me to my death. I just want to die from the pain of her leaving without saying goodbye. It's so hard to sleep at night, so hard to wake up in the morning feeling restless and anxious. I know it's not normal, and I don't want to be a burden to Grandma and Kate. Every time I try to cheer up, I suddenly remember Eumerriah’s joyful face, hear her laughter, and her childish voice scolding me. I stop, hoping she’ll come back and face me again, along with our child.I pretend to be okay and not sad in front of Grandma. I told them I was going to visit a resort while they were busy. I walked around, but no one recognized me. Is m
**Gabrielle's Point of View**I've been waiting for two hours, but Eumerriah still hasn’t come out of the mansion. The guests and my brother have already left, but she’s still nowhere to be seen. I sighed before maneuvering out of my parking spot. I wasn’t sure what to do next until I realized I was parked in the lot of a bar. It was getting dark, and it would open soon. I waited a bit longer. I wanted company, but I didn’t want people—only alcohol was on my mind.I wanted to drown myself in alcohol until I couldn’t feel the pain anymore. The pain stabbing at my chest. I didn’t even realize I had honked the horn of my car, which drew the attention of a bar staff. They said I was causing a disturbance and asked me to leave the parking lot. I asked if they were open yet, and they said they were open for casual drinkers but would be crowded later. I didn’t know it worked that way.I went in and ordered a drink. It didn’t take long before I ordered another, and shortly after, I had two mo
**Gabrielle's Point of View**Everyone thought I was quiet and okay for the past week. Lola and Kate assumed everything was fine, but they didn’t know that when they weren’t around, my mental torment began. I stopped going out, not wanting to add to the problems I’ve already caused. I locked myself in my own world. I couldn’t even bring myself to get my phone to connect with my friends. I didn’t want to burden them with my issues. My mind was stuck in a loop of negative thoughts.“Kuyaaaa!!” Kate’s knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I quickly turned off the music I was playing and hid the beer under the bed.“What?” I asked as I opened the door. She was still fanning her face. “You smell awful! Are you drinking again? It’s already noon.”“No! Maybe you just smell yourself. If I find out you’re drinking, I’ll get rid of all the alcohol in the world for you!” I joked. She sniffed herself, looking a bit confused. “Why are you knocking? What do you need?” I asked.“Your friend is
**Gabrielle’s Point of View**“What are you going to do? It seems like Kristine is really pointing to you as the father of her child. She even said it in front of her parents. They must be looking for you by now. Your parents might already know too. What are you planning to do?” Paul asked, his voice firm and worried.They came over immediately when they found out Kristine was accusing me of being the father of her child. I know for a fact that I don’t love Kristine. I couldn’t bring myself to touch her because she seems like a younger sister to me. Even if I were drunk, I wouldn’t do something like that. I’ve proven that already; what happened between Eumerriah and me was because we were both drunk and under the influence of drugs.“You know how protective I am of Kristine. I wouldn’t do something like that to her. I see her as a sibling, just like I see Kate. It’s impossible for that to have happened. Besides, you know and you can see how much I love Yumi. Even though she left me, I
**Gabrielle’s Point of View**“Big brother, why are you drinking again?” Kate scolded me in disappointment. I didn't respond or even look at her. She and Grandma had just arrived from the resort.“Why did she leave me? Did I do something wrong?” I asked, staring out the window while sitting on the floor with my back against the bed.“I really can’t understand it. I did everything I could to care for her. I loved her and gave her attention. I changed to be liked by her and to be worthy of her.” I felt Kate’s hand soothing my back.I continued drinking. Kate couldn’t stop me. She let me be, probably understanding how hard things were for me. Adding to the problem was the current situation between Kate and me.Her parents wanted us to marry before her stomach started showing. I couldn’t be trapped in a marriage and relationship I didn’t want. Besides my friends, I didn’t know if anyone else was aware of my situation. I hadn't told Kate and Grandma yet. I knew they would be even more worr
Gabrielle’s Point of ViewAfter I walked out, Mommy chased after me. She pleaded with me to listen to Daddy. I really couldn’t understand why their business and pride were more important to them than us, their children. Why did we have to live according to their wishes?"Son, 25% of the shares belong to the Montealto family. If they’re embarrassed because their daughter is pregnant without a father figure, it will definitely be a huge mess. Besides risking bankruptcy, your father will be humiliated in the business world. You know your father; he won’t allow that. I know he’ll do something to make sure you can’t refuse. I’m tired of the conflict; I want peace. I’m exhausted, Gabrielle, tired of fighting for you two," Mommy said, crying as she patted my arm. I sighed deeply."Fine! I’ll marry her if I can prove I’m the father of her child," I shouted at Mommy. Anger filled every kick I made into the sand.Mommy was tearful as she thanked me. Many thoughts ran through my mind. I knew Dad
Gabrielle’s Point of ViewEveryone is busy with their own affairs. The house that Kristine and I will stay in is ready.“What’s wrong with you, Gabrielle? Are you going to embarrass us?” Mommy asked. I told her I wanted us to have a DNA test before getting married. I was sure I wasn’t the father of that child.I couldn’t tell Kristine because I wasn’t speaking to her anymore. I couldn’t even look at her. She seemed like a different person to me, not the Kristine I had known since we were kids. “What’s wrong with conducting a paternity test? I want to make sure first if I’m really the father of that child, Mom. Are you going to let me be trapped in a marriage I don’t want, let me end up like you?!” I received a slap from Mommy. I just winced at the pain.“Even though your daddy didn’t love me, I achieved my dreams and succeeded. So if you want to keep everything you have, do as they wish. You didn’t become a Sanchez for nothing.” She pointed her finger at me. She walked over to sit on
**Gabrielle's Point of View**I wasn’t sure when they announced our engagement party, Kristine and I. Mommy just sent me to the hotel to attend it. I went to avoid any further conflict.I didn’t listen to the program, nor did I talk to people. I didn’t even smile. I only greeted Kristine’s parents with a cheek kiss. I went up to the mini stage they set up and left right after. I couldn’t stay at the event; I couldn’t pretend to be happy with them. Everyone congratulated Kristine, and she happily accepted it.I went up to the room Mommy had arranged for our family. It wasn’t just a room; it was a penthouse. I found my brother Jerome sitting on his bed."How’s the groom-to-be?" he teased. I ignored him and rummaged through the bag they brought for me to change into."You should have stayed longer. The celebration will go on until later," he added."If I were you, I’d keep an eye on Shaira. You never know; I might be the one who got her pregnant," I teased back.I knew he loved Shaira de
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