"It's the company's anniversary this Friday, are you coming? What am I talking about? Of course, you must come."She had just passed by Jaxen, but he had already said two sentences at once. She had just walked Wendy and Migo to the elevator.The thick-faced woman had the nerve to ask her to carry her bag while she clung to Miguel's arm.She almost smacked Wendy if she hadn't restrained herself. Besides, Migo's eyes told her not to do anything stupid."Aren't you going to the business party with them?" she asked him. She knew why Miguel's assistant was talking to her.He was trying to pull her thoughts away from the couple who had just left the office together."Nah. But I'm following later. Mr. Villareal needs me to bring his gift to the host.""Why didn't you go with them and bring it now?""So I can keep an eye on them?""No," she denied his guess. "I just thought it's fuel efficient.""Fuel efficient?" he teased.He had the audacity to tease her because, first of all, Migo wasn't t
'You didn't come home last night.'Lara read Migo's email message for her. She reviewed the time stamp and figured that he sent it first thing in the morning.In her personal email, of course. He wouldn't dare use her company email. That would be too risky for their little secret.She didn't reply. Surely, it was either Auntie Rosette or Uncle George who informed Miguel. She can't blame them. They're obliged to tell him her whereabouts. Especially if he was looking for her.Wait, was he looking for her?It's a good thing she didn't change her initial excuse about staying over at Tasya's place.'Let's talk when I'm back.'The way he was sending email messages, it seemed like they were just chatting. She ignored him though and just focused on her work. Did he really think she was interested in talking to him?Ha! She was not!"Lara, do you already have an outfit for the anniversary?" Ashley asked her, trying hard to sound curious and not nosy.She shook her head. It's tomorrow. But Migo
The party had already begun. But according to his assistant, his wife hadn't arrived yet."Didn't she say she would attend the party?" Migo asked his assistant beside him.He hadn't descended to the ballroom of the five-star hotel where they were celebrating the company's founding anniversary yet. But he would join them shortly."Yes, Sir. Do you want me to call her?" Jaxen answered."Find out where she's at." He turned away from him and picked up his black-silver Venetian half mask and put it on. His upper face was completely hidden, save for his eyes. While opting for a full-face mask would have better concealed his identity, the half mask was not a bad choice either.If someone didn't know him, he wouldn't be recognized at all.There was no deeper reason for his choice of anonymity. Or rather, for his decision to maintain a low-key profile.He just wanted a private life. A life away from people who would do anything to destroy him.Just like what happened seventeen years ago… He di
Lara felt extremely uncomfortable under the scrutinizing gazes she received. It wasn't her intention to attract attention; that's why she arrived late, hoping everyone would be preoccupied by the time she arrived. But clearly, she had picked the wrong strategy. Now, all eyes were on her. Thankfully, her mask concealed her identity.However, those who knew her could still recognize her. It was a small consolation that not everyone knew she was the woman behind the popular sugar daddy issue."Are you lost, your highness?" a familiar voice called out.She turned to the voice.It was Jaxen, his eyes the only visible part of his face due to his mask, but she was sure he was grinning at her."Ah, there you are!" she immediately hooked her arm through his, even though he didn't offer it. She just felt the need to hold onto someone."Mrs. Villareal, do you want me to get fired?" Jaxen subtly withdrew his arm. "The Chairman can see us!""I'm scared," she confessed. "Hide me."He chuckled and l
Lara thought the night would end without her talking to Miguel. She believed she could finally go home after dancing with Reed Villareal.But what she didn't expect was, she was given the rare chance of a surprise dance opportunity with the CEO. Above the excited whispers, jealous murmurs, and blatant judgment, Lara's heart pounded loudly when she heard her name being called.Was it just a coincidence? Her feet refused to move, and she felt a sudden chill.Miguel approached her and extended his hand. "May I have this dance?" he asked, his eyes fixed on hers like a whirlpool ready to pull her into the depths of the sea.Reluctantly, she took his hand. Her eyes widened as she felt that electric current again at the touch of his skin."Why are you so surprised? Did you think I would let this night pass without dancing with my wife?" he whispered as they stopped in the center of the dance floor.They were alone, and all eyes were on them. Lara felt her entire body tremble with nervousness
She tasted blood, but Lara refused to cry. She reminded herself that she wasn't a crybaby."Ouch," she uttered softly when Miguel gently applied a cold compress to her cheek and the corner of her mouth, which had swollen.Honestly, she wasn't really in pain. She just used it as an excuse to escape Miguel's intense gaze. She couldn't stand his stares. They felt like they burned her skin."I'll do it," she said, taking the compress from him.Miguel sighed but agreed. Jaxen arrived just in time to inform them that Wendy, Leonie, and Ashley were in the adjacent room.Her husband stood up, his jaw clenched, and his eyes murderous. Lara felt a pang of fear. She hadn't seen him like this for a long time. The last time she saw him this furious was when her sister died. That vengeful gaze was terrifying."Migo," she called out before he could leave the suite. "What are you going to do?" she asked when he stopped to look back at her. She swallowed hard when she saw the anger in his eyes. "C-can
Lara arrived home late the next day. Her headache was pounding so intensely that it felt worse than a hangover.There were two reasons for that.First, her cheeks were still swollen. Wendy's slap seemed to have been delivered with the force of metal, leaving Lara's face achingly uncomfortable.The second, and more headache-inducing than the first, was waking up to find her arms wrapped around Migo. It would have been fine if he had still been asleep. However, aside from not knowing that she had slept next to him, Miguel was already wide awake and busy on his phone. He claimed he didn't move to avoid waking her, so he had endured the small screen of his phone while lying down, with her arm draped across his chest.Lara felt like she had just drunk a pail of coffee because she was wide awake at once. It was awkward enough that her face was purple from its swolleness, and her hair was like a bird's nest, but her sudden movement almost exposed her naked body beneath the robe that had loos
"Leave application denied, Lara. Come to the office. My secretaries couldn't be gone all at the same time."That was Miguel's response to her email. Lara was hoping she could take a leave. Her eyes were still a bit swollen, and she didn't think she was ready to see Miguel again after admitting to herself that she had "slight" feelings for him.Yesterday, she didn't leave her room, citing that she wasn't feeling well. Even when Miguel came to her room, she pretended to be asleep. She almost got caught in her act when he gently touched her cheek.He didn't stay long and just instructed Auntie Rosette, who had accompanied him, to make sure she ate on time. After that, he left the house.Lara sighed. How could he approve Ashley's and Leonie's leaves and deny hers?She forced herself out of bed. She was already running late, but her movements lacked enthusiasm.If Auntie Rosette hadn't come to check on her, she might have stayed in bed all day.While on her way to the office, she checked h
Seventeen years ago, Lara did not understand why she survived a massacre and her family didn’t. Even when her mind was etched with the face of their killer, all she ever thought of was giving justice to their deaths. She knew she would see him again. And she was not wrong. Almost two decades passed, their paths crossed again.Now that she stood at the witness stand and she could see the horror in Stefano’s eyes, Lara was convinced that God allowed her to live for that very purpose. To make Stefano pay for the crimes he committed.Earlier, when the man saw her, he was greatly surprised. Perhaps he had assumed she was dead. Well, she couldn't blame him. He saw her condition back then because he was the one responsible for her gunshot wound. But he had miscalculated. It wasn't her time yet.Lara swore an oath to only tell the truth. And that was exactly what she did. But she was surprised by her own composure. She didn’t break down even when she recalled everything that happened many yea
"Stop crying, I'm not dead yet."Lara couldn't decide whether to laugh or be affected by the emotional outpouring of her two friends.After a week and a half since her near-death experience, Miguel finally allowed her friends to know what had happened to her and visit her."Shut up!" Tasya wiped her tears away. "You always do this to us! I'm scared that next time, we'll just be mourning over your dead body!""Lara, how could you not tell us? We get it that we might not be able to protect you like your husband could, but aren't we your friends? At least let us know what's going on with you," Chester said, his expression serious. His eyes were red from earlier tears."I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean not to tell—""I asked you!" Tasya cut in. "You didn't tell me! If I had known how dangerous your plan was, I should never have agreed to help you! I regret letting you do something without knowing the whole plan!""Tash, I'm sorry... I didn't want to tell you because I knew you wouldn'
"I think our baby is moving..."Lara laughed softly at what Miguel said. His hand was on her belly, feeling the movements even though she wasn't even showing yet."Is that so?" She knew it was impossible because their baby was just a few weeks old. But she didn't have the heart to correct him. Migo was just excited. "Then get ready, Migo. I'm sure when he comes out, he'll be a playful and active child!""Also beautiful, kind, smart, brave, and takes after his mom..." Miguel smiled gently at her.That warmed her heart. Lara was happy, so happy."You want a daughter?""Whether it's a son or a daughter, it's fine. What's important is that both of you are healthy and well," he said, moving closer to cup her face. "I love you, sweetheart...""I love you too, Miguel..."Miguel bent to kiss her lips softly.Lara wanted to cry. She could feel her husband's love for her, and she felt ashamed that she had caused him so much worry. But despite her reckless decision to meet Stefano and falling in
"Sometimes I wonder why I am still alive. Is it for you to spoil me with visits like this?" Meredith rolled her eyes at him. She was propped up against the headboard of her hospital bed when he approached her. "You're here every day, Migo.""It's for you to realize that there's someone who is not yet ready to lose you," Miguel answered, lightly pinching his friend's cheek."As if!"Her gunshot wounds weren't fatal because she was wearing a bulletproof vest. However, she was hit in the arm and shoulder. She was recovering from her injuries, but her sickness persisted and worsened."Have you made up your mind yet?"Meredith sighed. "I made my decision a long time ago, you know it. So, I don't understand why you're still trying to convince me every day.""Mer, until you've tried everything, it's not over. Besides, do you really want to leave me now?""Cut it out," she chuckled, scolding him. "You can't guilt-trip me like that. I know you're happy now. You don't need me anymore, Miguel."
“You should’ve just killed me,” Stefano said bitterly yet unremorsefully.“We’re not the same, Stefano. I am not a killer,” Miguel replied.His cousin had just come out of the hospital, but he was immediately brought to prison. Stefano’s arms were both gone. However, the man did not show any remorse for everything he had done.“You are so full of yourself, Miguel. Your day will come!”“What matters is that your day has arrived. Show even a little remorse, Stefano. You killed not only the woman you claim to love but also your own blood!”Stefano laughed bitterly. “You killed them.”“I didn’t. It was your selfishness and love for money that killed them. You killed them, Stefano.”“I’m the bad guy now?” He seemed to find it impossible to believe.“You’ve always been,” he replied. “Even before we met, you had already ruined Grandfather’s trust in you. I had nothing to do with the changes you claimed to have made. You made all the changes yourself.”He laughed again. “You can refuse it, Mi
"Lena… It’s you… Lena!"Lara was utterly confused. Stefano, who had been a madman, suddenly turned into a meek lamb, kneeling while he held her hands. He was repeatedly calling her by her sister’s name."Lena, I’m sorry. I’m sorry!" He held her hands and kissed them. "Are you hurt?"Lara felt repulsed, but she was too afraid to do anything that might trigger Stefano to become violent again."I know that you’re alive!" He stood up and hugged her. "They all lied to me, Lena!"When he embraced her and gently moved her hair, Lara realized her hair was down. She hadn't noticed it had come loose from the bindings earlier. And with her hair down, she looked exactly like her sister.Stefano couldn't differentiate her from her sister for some reason unknown to Lara. What was going on with him?"I knew you would come back!" He cradled her face in his hands.Lara couldn’t say or do anything but stare back at him with fear in her eyes. Stefano was seeing her as Lena, and that was enough to terrif
"Stefano!!! Leave my wife alone!!!!!!!!!!"Stefano only responded with laughter."Do not hurt her!""I'll say it again, Miguel. From this time on, you will obey everything I say. I'll call you again."Then he ended the call.Miguel slammed his hand on the steering wheel. Stefano had Lara in his grip. It was his fault! He should have been with his wife. He could have protected her!"Location, Jaxen?" he asked his companion in the backseat. His assistant was monitoring their distance from Lara's last known location.When they reached the safehouse, they found his men barely hanging on. The traitor knew where to shoot to kill. But what he didn't know was that one of his comrades had managed to plant a tracking device on him.That was what they were following now, hoping Stefano hadn't noticed it and removed it to mislead them. It was stationary at the moment, indicating they weren't moving. Based on Stefano's call, confirming his wife was with him, it matched the tracker's signal."We're
Lara was beginning to feel uneasy in her seemingly comfortable situation. She was being treated well, and despite waiting for several minutes, there was still no sign of Stefano.There were five guards inside a spacious room in a safe house. Two were by the door, keeping watch. One, who seemed to be the leader, was positioned near the window, occasionally scanning the surroundings with binoculars. The other two were in a corner, playing cards. Meanwhile, Lara sat quietly on the sofa, shifting her gaze between them, looking confused.The address Stefano had sent her was different from this place. However, it could mean that he was intentionally trying to confuse her. After all, only the two of them knew about her plan. But the question remained: where was Stefano? Why was he keeping her waiting?She had been calm a while ago, but when one of the guards at the window suddenly pulled out a gun and started scanning the area, Lara felt her heart in her throat.Earlier, she had asked about
"Are you sure you are going to do this?""You're worrying now? Please, Miguel, I'm not a child."He could almost see Meredith rolling her eyes, though he only heard her voice. She was indeed not a child, but he couldn't help but worry. She was going on a dangerous mission for him and Lara."Remember to prioritize your safety, Mer.""You know I have nothing to lose anymore. This might just give meaning to my life...""I want you back safe and sound," he replied.He understood what Meredith meant. A few days ago, she had confessed everything to him, and he was profoundly saddened. He was losing a friend to a terminal disease. Meredith had fought it, but she fought alone. She didn't tell anyone until the doctors had given up on her."If I come back, I want you for myself, Migo. So, don't ask for it," she teased.He let out a low chuckle, but inside, he was deeply sad. When she had told him about her condition, he felt shattered. Meredith was his closest friend. He couldn't bear the thoug