C27Heart blinked her tears as she looked at Her son. She continued to eat ice cream while crying. Lush wiped away her tears, smiling at her son’s effort.“Don’t cry,” Lush told her. “Daddy loves you. He won’t approach to that Manang again.”“What did he do?”“The child wasn’t well. He was like this,” he said, acting as if struggling to breathe.Heart nodded, sensing the child might have asthma, feeling sympathy. Although everything seemed fine, she couldn’t shake the thought that Silvana and Lux might reconcile for the sake of their child.“There’s a lot you don’t know yet, my baby. You’re still a baby,” She told Lush.“Aren’t we leaving him?” the boy asked, looking so sad.She shook her head and chuckled. Despite Lush found fear of leaving, she assured her son “We’re not leaving.”“We won’t leave Daddy?”“We won’t leave Daddy. Mommy loves Daddy. We may have misunderstandings, but we’ll discuss them for you, and we love each other,” she explained, knowing Lush’s understanding was
C28Lux felt rejuvenated after having a conversation with Heart. At this very moment, he seemed like a new person, with a fresh determination to face everything. Frustration filled him when it came to Silvana. He’s not that naïve. If Silvana thought she could manipulate him just because they had a child, she was wrong. Heart was right. It happened with Diana, and that woman didn’t sway him. The same thing goes for now.“Okay, the baby’s little tent is all set!” he happily exclaimed to his child, who jumped and shouted upon seeing the tent he made.Lush was delighted, but Lux was even happier because the tent was just for him and Heart and Lush wanted a separate one. It felt like they were having a private evening, and he couldn’t wait to put Lush to sleep.The child eagerly entered the tent and bounced around inside, full of excitement. Lux noticed a video call from Siony, knowing it was Carmen using the housekeeper’s smartphone.“Ma!” he quickly answered after pressing the icon.“Yo
C29AFTER attending the six o’clock mass, they headed straight to the diners. Along with Elisa and Caleb’s family, they decided to go to a restaurant spontaneously, as her husband hadn’t made a reservation. Carmen didn’t like the Macho restaurant; she felt it had become monotonous and preferred somewhere else.Katy whispered to Heart as they got out of the car, “Ate Heart, there’s some content about you and a businessman circulating on social media. It’s gaining a lot of attention.”“I don’t know the rumors about that. I just went there because it was Charles’ free time and he was already there. I asked if his girlfriend really had a child from her previous relationship. I wanted to know who the father was, but he had no clue.”“Have you become the talk of the town? Well, 500k people already watched his vlog. He’s profiting off you.”“Who?” Lux sharply asked her sister.“Never mind. Maybe that’s where he earns. But me, I don’t know. These days, I’ve learned not to pay them any attenti
C30Heart stared at the text message she received. She had been looking at it for a while, trying to absorb the content. It was a simple message, but she found it challenging to process the details. Was it the details or her decision that was causing the delay in her thoughts?She was inside Lush’s room because the child fell asleep due to exhaustion and excitement about their upcoming baby. Heart sat on the sofa, absorbed in a video call with Lexi. She was happy to see her whole family gathered for a meal, probably coming from church.Her siblings were helping with the preparations, and it brought joy to her. Despite their improved circumstances, her siblings remained hardworking. Perhaps, she instilled in them the value of diligence even with some financial comfort.“Baby,” Lux called, drawing her attention away from the phone.He glanced at her smartphone and then returned his gaze to her face. “What’s that, baby? Are you watching vlogs and gossip?” he asked in a sweet tone, but sh
C31Heart kissed Lush on the forehead and hurriedly left, but she noticed Lux looking at her."I love you," Lux said, smiling."I love you too. Take care, both of you.""You too. Give me an update, sweetie."She saluted him and backed away from the car, catching her husband's gaze, his neck twisted."Bye, Mimi, baby!" Lush exclaimed, waving at her, peeking from the lowered window, so she waved back. She mentioned to Lux that he had to inform the teacher that Lush wouldn't attend school for a week during their vacation.Her community service would resume tomorrow, and she would spend a few days working at the restaurant. It was also her form of recreation, aside from earning a salary.Her parents were still unaware of her pregnancy. She planned to announce it once they were in Oas. Lush and their family members, Elisa and Katy, were excited and would join them.Caleb would return to basketball training, unable to go with them, but he agreed to let Katy go with them for a fam
C32He was observing the small two-story building intently upon exiting his vehicle. It was quite good. Was that what Silvana referred to as her office? There was no visible sign, just a direction that he must descend at an apple green building. He continued gazing until the door opened, revealing the woman.“That’s it. Come in,” she said. There were construction activities around the commercial building, but he proceeded to the door. He suspected Silvana’s business was not the only reason for this meeting; his intuition rarely failed him.Regarding Delight, his emotions were unclear. At times, he felt he might be the father, while at other times, uncertainty prevailed. Various reasons occupied his thoughts, and he had investigators that were investigating Silvana’s life since left his restaurant years ago.“Come in,” the woman formally invited, and he entered silently. All he saw were tables, prompting thoughts of a possible Macho Restaurant. Silvana guided him toward a small path.
C33“I think I better get going now, Silvana. It’s a shame my son isn’t here; at least, I could have seen him, even if I’m not recognized,” he said, feigning a pitiful demeanor to fake it again and eventually find a way to bring Delight closer in the following days.Patience is all he needs.He wanted to push her away to end the pretense, but he couldn’t. He might get caught pretending, and all his efforts would be in vain. He released her because he was stepping away, subtly not revealing his supposed allergy when she’s near. He didn’t want her to kiss him, damn it. He wouldn’t let the situation escalate to that point of deception.Even with Diana, whom he genuinely loved before, being naked and on top of him, he turned away. What more with someone he doesn't even know where they stand, like Silvana, whom he rejected an extension from way back when he bought her?Perhaps Silvana was chasing him, prompting herself to find a way to connect with Macho. She didn’t answer his earlier ques
C34Vandros looked at Lux as they were left alone at the table. Their friends had already left, and it was just the two of them, drinking beer.Lux struggled with just one bottle. He hadn’t been drinking much since the night he almost collided, and ended up going home to his condo. That was back when Heart wasn’t officially his girlfriend yet.“How are you, bro?” Vandros asked, running his hand over his pants while leaning on the chair.“Still bothered,” Lux replied, discreetly looking around. He wasn’t sure if someone might be eavesdropping on them, spying on their misfortune. He still didn’t know who their real enemy was.“Do you believe Ella is clueless about my past dealings with women? I’m starting to wonder because she insists. You said she was forcing you to give an extra job.”“That’s right. I’m starting to wonder, too. I’ve already included her in my watch list. She’s not effective with me. She can’t make a move without me noticing. She’s on the list anyway. Sooner or later,