"What did you find out about Chester Salas?" he immediately asked Jaxen as soon as he arrived at the office the following day."His family owns a textile company, Sir. Currently, he is the Vice President of Operations. His friendship with Mrs. Villareal dates back to high school. So, they were really close—""Stop," he interrupted, feeling irritated. "I didn't tell you to validate their relationship with me.""Sorry, Sir," Jaxen replied, handing him an envelope containing information about Chester Salas.He couldn't understand his need for this information. Perhaps for future use? All he knew was he felt a heavy weight in his chest whenever he thought about the man. How dare he touch his wife?'When?' His mind asked him.When he was drunk and Lara was helping him? That was the only time he had seen them together. And it seemed that Chester was not in the right state of mind due to intoxication. And yet, he felt an irrational urge to punch him for being that close to Lara.The image of
Lara missed Migo, but she suppressed her feelings.To distract herself, she engaged in various activities, such as visiting an orphanage and bringing supplies for the children. However, at the end of the day, she still went home feeling lonely. Unable to talk to anyone about her emotions, she decided to visit Lena's grave the next day and repeatedly apologized."I didn't mean to, big sis!" she cried. "I don't love him yet. I mean, I've always loved him as a big brother. But lately, I'm thinking about him more than I should. I'm confused. I don't want this. Sorry, big sis!"She sat in front of Lena's grave, burying her face in her knees, feeling overwhelmed with guilt."I feel so bad… I'm an awful sister to you! I promise you, I won't let this feeling grow. I can't hurt you, big sis. I don't want to hurt you!"She spent another hour there before leaving the mausoleum. It was getting dark, but she didn't want to go home. Instead of heading home, she asked to be taken to the mall owned b
“What?! Do you think you can get away with this? I am telling you, you will regret doing this to me.”"Thanks for your concern, Lara. But believe me, we don't need your reminder," Wendy replied, releasing her while reaching into her bag."Ashley, Leonie, stop this. I can give you back your jobs and forget you're in this sh!t with that crazy woman," she attempted to negotiate with her two former colleagues."Who are you to do that, Lara? I don't believe you can," Ashley said.Before she could explain, Wendy pulled her hair again and gagged her mouth with a scarf. Lara tried to resist, but in the end, she couldn't do anything."Let’s go, girls. The money will arrive any moment now," Wendy told Ashley and Leonie, watching her sinisterly as her eyes widened.Like what?! Were they leaving her there?"We'll meet your sugar daddy in the other building, Lara," Wendy said to her. "Now, enjoy your final night with the ghosts." Without warning, she shot Lara in the arm with a silenced gun. She w
Lara didn’t die.She didn't know whether to be thankful or what. Because one moment, when she thought she was already catching her breath, she was mentally preparing to reunite with Lena. But then she heard Miguel’s voice, pulling her back to reality."Stay with me," he said.After approximately twenty-four hours, Lara woke up in a hospital bed. The first person she saw was Auntie Rosette, who was tearfully relieved to see her conscious. Auntie Rosette called the doctor, who promptly examined her."You scared all of us," Auntie Rosette said afterward."I was scared too," she admitted. It was true; she genuinely thought she wouldn’t make it out alive. "Is my wound that bad?" she asked, looking at her arm, which was wrapped in bandages and immobilized."You underwent surgery. Thankfully, they managed to prevent your arm from being amputated. Aside from the fact that we almost lost you due to blood loss, your condition is stable now," Auntie Rosette replied, wiping her tears."Don't cry,
Lara was discharged from the hospital after three more days. During those days, Migo slept over.There were times when she woke up to find him in the middle of an online business conference. He only chose a background that didn't reveal he was in a hospital.He even apologized for waking her up, thinking she had been disturbed by his conversation. She shook her head and silently watched him, admiring him.Miguel was a busy man, and she appreciated that he still made an effort to watch over her, even at night, after his busy days at the office.He told her not to worry about him. But did he know she wasn't worrying about him? She was worrying for herself, for her vulnerable heart that was slowly but surely falling in love with her husband."When you need anything, just call Rosette. Alright? Don't force yourself to move," Migo instructed as he escorted her to her room."I have feet, and I can use my other hand," she replied. "Don't baby me. I'm all grown up.""Did I say you were a chil
Lara didn't find another chance to talk with Tasya. Migo had asked her friend to leave after dinner. He didn't tell her to leave directly, but he said that it was getting late and Lara needed to rest. Being sensitive, Tasya bid her goodbye and promised to call the next day.Lara was torn between feeling grateful for the temporary escape from Tasya's questions and being frustrated because Migo made the decision for her.But she couldn't argue with him, so she remained silent, even though she wanted to reprimand him for his coldness towards her friend."I need to fly to New York tomorrow," Migo said as they climbed the stairs to the second floor, where her room was located. "I'll be gone for two weeks straight.""Hmm," was all she managed to say. She felt a pang of sadness, but she reminded herself that every moment away from Migo was a moment she needed. It was challenging for her to see him regularly, especially when he was being extra caring. It was too dangerous for her vulnerable h
It had been a week since Miguel left for New York. Lara was feeling incredibly restless. She hadn't spoken to Tasya either; the latter had been too busy with work.The nurse hired by Migo kept her company, although Lara didn't really need her. She already had the nurse share her life story with her. She could almost memorize even her issues with her boyfriend now.When Lara wanted to sleep, she just let the nurse play with her phone. Honestly, the nurse didn't really do much, but Lara indulged Migo's wishes and let it be.Her life was becoming more monotonous with each passing day. With her injured arm, she doubted her life would return to normal anytime soon. She was growing impatient.So when Tasya called the following Sunday, Lara was ecstatic to have someone to talk to. Unfortunately, her happiness didn't last long due to a picture Tasya sent her."I saw Mr. Villareal with that beautiful woman," Tasya said during their video call.Lara was staring at the photo of Miguel and a woma
For the longest time, Miguel had maintained a private life. No pictures of him can be found online.But in just one night, the internet was flooded with news of his upcoming marriage. And several hours later, nothing was done to take it off. That made Lara believe it was true. She knew Migo; he could easily remove the news if he wanted to. But he didn't."Madam, what are you crying about?" Nurse Beth asked, her tone a mix of concern and curiosity. "Auntie Rosette is looking for you. She might come up here. It's like she doesn't believe it when I told her you were just too lazy to come down."She didn't want Auntie Rosette and Uncle George to see her like that. So she had instructed Nurse Beth to make up an excuse for her.The nurse had been convincing her to eat. But she didn't feel like eating anything. All she felt was pain. It felt like she was awaiting her death sentence.Maybe Migo would call her to say the news was true. What would she tell him then? Congratulations?The weigh
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