Chapter 65 Early morning(flashback) Lux stared at the cabinet inside their room with Diana, in their old house. He didn't know what he was doing there, but his own feet had led him there after he took a shower in his own home. Diana was still living there. She didn't leave. He walked into the walk-in closet and opened some cabinets. There were some of the woman's clothes. He rifled through them. He didn't know what he was looking for, probably evidence of other men in Diana's life. He pulled a drawer, and it was locked. He searched for the key on his key holder. He knew the key was there, and he found it. He opened it. It was filled with bottles. He took them out one by one and saw sleeping pills, vitamins, and contraceptive pills. He had a feeling this would happen. He rummaged through it again and found a piece of paper. It was a doctor's clinic and a prescription for Diana. It said "pills," and it was dated from three years ago, but he was more than sure that the bottle of p
Chapter 66 Just like her decision, Heart's mind was divided between weighing and thinking. She really wanted to leave for a moment and be on her own. She wanted to be alone because she wanted to get to know herself. She felt very sad and wasn't sure if she would be able to work properly. When she wasn't working, she might just get bored at home. It seemed like she had no clear decision about anything. She watched Lux as he was packing. She had a bad feeling, thinking that he might not come back. If her mother were there, Lumeng might scold her because that old lady would say she was thinking too differently from reality. She tried to erase the thought that Lux wouldn't come back. After all, he was just going on a trip, and she shouldn't think that way. Deep inside her, she wanted to go with him. "I wish I were her,” she couldn't help but say, and it was too late to take it back. Lux immediately looked at her as she sat on the couch alone. "Baby, don't say that," he said and didn
Chapter 67 – Lux OUT OF REACH. Lux cursed multiple times when he couldn’t contact Heart. He had been trying to call her for a while now, itching to have a conversation with her. He was damn excited because he had never had the chance earlier. Now was his opportunity to talk to her because Diana wasn’t following him around, wanting to be in the same room whenever he was. She was like a crazy dog that didn’t want to leave its owner’s side. Whenever he takes out his smartphone, her face immediately appears, peeking in. It wasn’t right, but he felt suffocated and unable to resist. She used her pregnancy as a weapon, and that was her way of getting what she wanted. What he did to quiet her down was to bring her to the bedroom so she could lie down. The door was left open and he didn’t close it. They were staying in Alfonso’s house, but he asked for a separate room. He acted as the mediator between Caleb’s and Katy’s parents. Throughout that moment, Katy was by his side. She didn’t wan
Chapter 68 HEART was nowhere to be found, and Lux was feeling down and nervous. He couldn’t hold back the tears in his eyes as he walked towards Katy’s room. Elisa had mentioned that there were pregnancy test kits in her sister’s room, and she had asked for one for his plan. He would proceed with the plan despite his anxiety over Heart’s disappearance. He had already instructed Vandros to go to the police, even though it hadn’t been twenty-four hours since she went missing to declare it. He based it on her last text to him at around nine in the morning, saying that she was going to the doctor. “This is a generic test kit, elder brother, but it works like magic, too. The results are fast, just a few seconds. And Kuya, Ate Heart is really not responding, she’s out of the coverage area,” Katy explained as she handed him the kit. “Let’s hope nothing happens to her, Katy,” he replied to his sister. “My God, Kuya. Don’t even think about that. Nothing happened to her. Maybe… maybe…” she
Chapter 69 He was waiting, staring at the kit without even blinking. Time seemed to stand still as the liquid moved towards the second line. There was already one line, and he was nervous. He didn't know whether to be happy if there were two lines or sad if there was only one. The urine reached the line. "Shit!" He cursed and almost punched the tiled bathroom wall. Lux felt a sense of dread, and tears welled up in his eyes. He had bitten his lip so hard it almost bled. Diana had made a fool out of him! All this time, she wasn't pregnant! Damn it! It was all part of her plan to pretend she was pregnant. Even the blood during their argument wasn't real. Everything was a fucking fake! How the hell did she do it? She was such a great actress. All this time there was only one line on the test! Heart had been right when she joked about Diana having something hidden in her underwear, probably to make it look like she was bleeding ang mostly having a miscarriage. Lux was furious with
Chapter 70 "FRANC—" Heart couldn't finish her sentence as Franco suddenly kissed her, his hand holding the back of her neck tightly. "Kiss me back or I'll stab you, mistress," he said with an angry tone, and her entire system froze with fear. She let out a whimper and was trembling. She held onto his shoulders while closing her eyes, obeying his command though she was retching. Franco grinned with a sound, and she couldn't move while she felt the weapon against her back. "Get in," Franco commanded, his arms still wrapped around her, and the knife hidden. "Franco, please, don’t" she begged with tears in her eyes. “You thought I didn’t know? You’re just like my mother, always chasing money. You kept denying my offer, but you just want a married billionaire, huh?” He grinned with an insulting look. “Ma’am Diana has been closely watching her husband to make sure she wouldn’t be caught running after Enrico Mariano. It’s really lucky that you’re part of their story. My boss wanted to
Chapter 71 Heart woke up and saw her mother's tearful face. She was lying on an old wooden bench, older than her. It was said to be made by her grandfather when her parents were newlyweds. "Child..." Lumeng said, choking back tears. Her father sat nearby, observing. He couldn't afford to be worried because it might cause complications after his recent heart surgery. The time when the doctors opened his chest was not quite long ago. She couldn't compromise, but how? "What happened to you, child?" her father, Conrado, asked. Her younger sister, Lexi, was gently stroking her head, smiling at her with teary eyes. She cried but didn't speak. The wall that had been steadfast and strong for so long finally collapsed. And that wall is no other than her. "Let's feed big sister first, Mom. She looks really tired," Lexus said, sitting next to her. "Yes, right," Lumeng said, her voice trembling, and her mother went to the kitchen, separated by a wooden divider. Heart struggled to sit u
Chapter 72 Lux laid Diana's baggage down as they arrived in Manila. He watched her for a moment and then turned away. "W-Where are you going?" She followed him, almost gasping when she saw her clutching her stomach, as if in pain or something like that. Deceitful! "I have something to attend to," he replied flatly, taking big strides, but she still trailed behind. "I'm coming with you." "Bed rest," he said, but she grabbed his arm, making him stop. "Just stay here. The baby might be in danger. I'll take care of the annulment because the lawyer called." The lawyer did indeed call, and now he had something new to throw at his old in-law of him, the deception Diana had subjected him to. That was another grievous reason for him to pursue and win the annulment, but that wouldn't be his priority. He would go to the restaurant and talk to Gigi. He would go to the townhouse and conduct his own investigation. Yes, he was angry, but he would give Heart a fair fight, just as he did with
20. SHIT. Lush Miguel put Ruth on the bed and pulled her feet. I’m sorry, but even though he has no experience, he can’t control himself. It’s not that he paid her but because he was really dying to have sex with her. He would get bored too, he knew. She screeched to what he did but he didn’t move. She clutched the towel to her chest and tried to hide her body. He took off his shirt while eyeing her, and then removed his shorts and boxers, too. He had expected Ruth’s eyes to widen when she saw his hard and erect manhood. He just never paid attention to her reaction and knelt on the floor. She immediately got up but he pulled her back and spread her legs. “I’ll show you something,” he smirked and pulled her towel. She didn’t do anything when he got it and just closed her eyes tightly, as he looked at her body. Fuck. He couldn’t wait to stretch her pussy so he could fuck her harder. He felt that Ruth was trying to close the thighs he was holding but he was trying to open
19.Ruth stood in front of a condominium she recognized. The driver dropped her off at the entrance, and a uniformed man opened the door for her.“To the unit of, uh…” she stammered nervously. She felt breathless.“To the receptionist, ma’am,” the man replied.Embarrassed, she approached the receptionist. “Good evening, ma’am,” the woman greeted with a smile.“To the unit of Lush Miguel Montesalvo,” she said, trying not to show her nerves. She felt a pang of embarrassment; she hadn’t expected such a setup in Lush Miguel’s condo.“What’s your name?” the woman asked.“Ruth.”“Ruth?” The woman frowned.“Mirabelle, Ruth Mirabelle Eduardo.” She showed her ID.The woman smiled, “Yes, ma’am Mirabelle,” glancing at her ID. Ruth guessed that Lush Miguel had informed them. She tucked her ID back into her bag when someone suddenly touched her shoulder.Her arm moved automatically, delivering a slap to the man’s face. “Ouch!” he winced.Horror struck her as she realized it was her boss
18.MELO entered the office with a paper in his hand. Lush’s eyebrows raised, only glanced at his secretary.“Another paperwork?” he asked, feeling tired.“I just need a sign, sir. This is from the utility department. This is a termination paper,” he explained.“Tear it,” he ordered, and Melo stood there in surprise.“Sir?”“Tear it. Is it for Mirabelle?”Melo nodded.“Rip it apart and return it to the head. Tell him not to waste my time on nonsense, a termination without a valid reason. What did it say?”Melo read the termination, “Miss Eduardo was absent for three consecutive days, and when she returned to work, she was on time for a day and really late the next day, leaving the comfort rooms untidy.”“Untidy his ass,” he retorted, causing Melo to hide a smile. “He’s using it for personal motives. Return it torn apart. Tell him to read the policy and bylaws.”“Yes, sir.”Melo turned away and he was left alone, leaning against a chair. It was within his head’s right to ter
17.Ruth found herself scrutinized by the occupants of the President’s floor more intensely than being a criminal. It was her second time on that floor, and once again, mocking glances were directed her way. These individuals, accustomed to seeing familiar faces, likely comprised a high-ranking circle.She, a new face, assumed the appearance of a janitor.“Just constantly follow me. Lift your head, Miss Eduardo,” the man instructed, prompting her to obey. “You’re here for the boss and not for them.”She nodded, finding a lift in her spirits. It lightened the weight on her and her somewhat lowly identity.“Wait here,” the man said, pointing to a cubicle.Entering the boss’s office after a couple of knocks, he left her sitting in a chair, hands clasped. Her gaze seemed fixed at the door as if the surroundings were devoid of any other presence.“Come in,” the man who had accompanied her earlier said, so she stood up and walked toward the door. She grasped the doorknob and slowly turned i
16.Ruth’s eyes widened in disbelief as she read the message from Lush Miguel. She was still half-asleep, but it felt like a nightmare. Could this be true? She read the message on her phone again: “Let’s do it tonight. I don’t mind your period. Tonight and tomorrow night. I’ll give you eighty thousand pesos.” Her eyes grew even wider as she realized what her boss was suggesting.Eighty thousand. Not bad for two nights. She couldn’t believe it. She wasn’t that beautiful. There were many more attractive women – sophisticated, with jobs and aspirations.He claimed not to care about her period. Ruth immediately stood up and checked her underwear. No period. Her uterus had been calm since yesterday.When she got home, she noticed her pad was empty. She sighed in relief and sat down. The text arrived at four in the morning. It was already five-thirty. Was that man sleeping, or was he thinking about her period and having sex with her?Baron’s memory saddened her. No matter how much she conv
15.Lush Miguel tossed his keys onto the table near the sofa. Delight gave him a disapproving look, eyebrows arched, and a blank expression.“It’s too early, bro. Please, spare me from your lecture that I’m disrupting your night. It’s just…” he glanced at the wall clock, hanging on the beige wall, “7:47.”He lazily settled on the single sofa, and shortly after, a young girl came running towards him.“Tito Lush!” Nana exclaimed and immediately hugged him, almost tripping over her long nightgown.“Where’s Ate June?” He asked, looking around.“Still at the grocery store. Said she’s stuck in traffic.”“That explains,” he said, fixing the hem of Nana’s dress.“Explains what?” Delight furrowed his brows.“Explains why ky niece’s dress looks like it’s for Miss Universe.”Delight laughed at what he said and scratched his head. He really had no idea about being a father, so he wasn’t surprised that Nana’s dress looked like it was for a ten-year-old when she was only four.“What do you have fo
14.This is true. They’ve come to an agreement, and she has agreed to his offer. Yes, she offered herself. Baron would kill her if he found out what she did, that is if her husband is still alive.“Can’t we go tonight, Ruth?” Lush Miguel suddenly asked the young lady. He was driving towards their destination. He said he would drop her off at the exit, and she couldn’t refuse.What does he mean by “go tonight”?“D-Do you mean, um, do that tonight?” she asked, feeling awkward. Oh no, is she really ready? She’s on the verge of tears, having guarded herself for Baron, and now she’s about to sell herself.In an instant, it will be gone, and another man will benefit. This is a chapter of her life she will keep hidden forever, even from Baron. This will be the ninth time something will happen between her and her boss, who is none other than Lush Miguel.But that’s it. Close your eyes, Ruth. She reminded herself. She has to swallow it. Only her virginity will be lost, not her entire being. Af
13."He is single. He has no problem entering a restaurant with a woman. He doesn't entertain interviews or pose for photos.His security is just roaming around, eyeing him. If someone from the media takes a photo without his permission, it's not just the photo that will be destroyed, even the equipment will be ruined.Yes, he is a billionaire, but he values his privacy. He's not from showbiz to be celebrated by people and make his life controversial.Lush had experienced it before. Even though his parents are married and he's in elementary, there are still stories circulating that his mother is a mistress.That didn't make sense for him. He knew his mother and knew the story. He respects his mother, and the title of being a mistress cannot replace the goodness of Heart for them.He pulled a chair for Ruth when they reached the table. She looked at him when he did that."Do you want to pull the chair for me either?" he asked. She immediately shook her head, and he smiled. He also sat
12.Termination papers lay before her. She held them in the lobby’s restroom, where she cried. Dennis handed her a copy earlier, and it seemed the old man was serious about kicking her out. It felt unjust. He suggested she approach humbly, begging him as if he might change his mind. What was that? A form of bullying. Just because she’s a janitress, Dennis trampled on her?This life is so hard. She’s already struggling and can barely eat, and now this old man adds to her burdens. Berna doesn’t even know about this yet; her friend had to leave early due to an emergency. Her friend’s sibling is at the precinct for selling vegetables in a prohibited area. She doesn’t want to add to her friend’s problems.It's infuriating. She feels terrible. She just wants to save up for an investigator, but this annoying head of hers keeps adding to her troubles.Ruth wiped her tears, contemplating whether to plead Dennis or not. If she resists, she might lose her job. Where does she stand?She forcefu