Jane's voice caught in her throat upon hearing Kaitlyn's words."What... do you mean?" She asked nervously, attempting to lighten the mood with an awkward laugh.Kaitlyn sighed, setting down her cup of coffee. Her gaze bore into Jane's with pleading and yet also with accusation."Please, don't get near my husband ever again, Jane Delgado. Not even that child," Kaitlyn demanded, her tone laced with a hint of threat.Jane's heart sank as the weight of Kaitlyn's words settled upon her. She looked down at her feet, overwhelmed with guilt. This wasn't the first time she had felt this low, but facing the legal wife in person only amplified her sense of shame.Kaitlyn knew. She already knew."I'm sorry..." Jane's voice cracked, her words barely above a whisper. The apology caught Kaitlyn off guard, her disbelief evident in her expression."What...?" Kaitlyn muttered, her tone softened by surprise as she looked down at Jane, who seemed unusually humble in the face of such confrontation."I'm
As Jane slowly regained consciousness, the sterile hospital room gradually came into focus around her. Memories of what had happened flooded back, and panic gripped her heart. With trembling hands, she reached down to touch her belly, only to find it unnaturally flat and empty.A scream tore from her throat, raw with fear and anguish, echoing off the thick walls of the room. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought of the horrifying reality of her situation. Her baby, her precious child, was gone.Nurses and doctors rushed into the room at the sound of her cries, their faces filled with concern as they tried to calm her down and assess her condition."Ma'am! Calm down! Please calm down!" One of the nurses intervened as Jane struggled against their hold, attempting to remove the IV. Mae, Calix, and Dean, who had just arrived, watched in shock."Where's my baby?!" Her cries filled the room with fear, particularly gripping Dean, who witnessed Jane's emotional outburst for the first
The next day, Mae awoke to find an empty bed beside her. Panic oovercame her groggy mind as she sat up, frantically searching the room. Still disheveled and half-asleep, Mae stumbles out of the hospital room as her heart pounded in her chest.She rushes down the corridor with panicked steps, her eyes darting from side to side as she scanned the still quiet hospital. And then, she saw her – Jane, standing at the entrance to the NICU, her gaze fixed on the glass window separating her from her baby.Relief washed over Mae as she approached her cousin, her steps slowing to a calm pace. She reached out and gently touched Jane's shoulder, "You okay?" She asked. Jane turned to face Mae, her eyes almost telling her everything that is going in her mind. Without saying a word, she nodded, a small but genuine smile tugging at her lips. Mae glanced at Jane's peacefully sleeping baby, who was gently thumb-sucking in her sleep."So, she's finally got her name tag. Zoe... It suits her, really," Ma
"No... Jane... Please don't..." Dean cried, his voice laced with unbearable pain as he knelt before her. His hands clung to hers, his tears wetting her fingers."Please... I'm begging you... Don't let me go... I need you..." He pleaded, resting his head on her knees, his heartache pouring out in sobs.Jane's own tears welled up, betraying the strength she tried to maintain as she witnessed Dean's anguish. It was the first time she had seen him so vulnerable, and it tore at her heart in ways she couldn't explain.The moment Jane laid eyes on Dean, she knew she wanted him to father her future children. Her love for him was all-consuming, leading her to cling to him, unwilling to let him slip away, even feeling jealous when he returned to his wife.However, Jane now understood the immutable bond between a husband and wife. She realized that she could never occupy the place in his heart already claimed by his wife. Their union was sanctified before witnesses at the altar, and Jane was jus
The very next day, Mae arrived at work and immediately busied herself at her desk. As her job involved designing the company's publications and website, she turned her computer on to check her recent designs.Although she didn't really want to leave Jane at the hospital, Jane insisted that Mae should dedicate herself to work since Jane was recovering after all.While Mae was lost in her thoughts, her attention was interrupted by the sound of Sev and Calix walking towards Calix's office, which was close to Mae's desk.As soon as the two reached Mae's desk, Sev immediately focused his attention on her."Good m—mama Mia! What happened to you?! Did you fall in love or something?" Sev teasingly remarked, well aware of Mae's feelings for Calix, who stood beside him."Shut up, Seven," Mae retorted, rolling her eyes."No, seriously! Why are you wearing something so... girly? Urgh..." Sev teased, pretending to be disgusted by his usually boyish friend wearing an off-shoulder top with her hair
Mae struggled against Kai's unwanted advances. She summoned all her strength and determination to push him away and with a sudden burst of energy, she managed to slip from his grasp, her heart pounding with adrenaline as she sprinted away as fast as she could.She had no choice but to leave her heels by the roadside as she ran as though her life depended on it. Her breath coming in ragged gasps as she fled from the menacing presence of Kai and his men.She could hear the sound of footsteps behind her, the pounding of boots against the pavement as Kai's men gave chase. But to her relief, their pursuit was halted by Kai's laughter, amused by Mae's daring escape.Kai's laughter echoed through the night as he bent down to retrieve Mae's abandoned heels, his amusement evident in the gleam of his eyes."Haha! I like her!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine amusement and intrigue.His men watched on, bewildered by their boss's unexpected reaction. They couldn't understand why their
As Maeve walked away, the car door opened and closed, accompanied by footsteps hurrying after her."Maeve! Mae! Please wait!" Calix pleaded, grasping her arm to halt her."What do you want?" Mae asked blankly, causing Calix to flinch.He never imagined Mae would change so drastically in such a short time. Was it because of what happened that night? Had he hurt her so deeply that she'd resign from his company?Calix preferred to hear everything from her."You're going too far. If this is about what happened that night, then I'm sorry..." He apologized, still holding her, attempting to prevent her from fleeing.Unexpectedly, Mae chuckled and removed Calix's hand from her."This has nothing to do with it. I simply want to go abroad, that's why I'm resigning," she explained, her voice almost flat."But why?" He inquired again, trying to coax the truth from her.Mae sighed and decided to reveal some of the truth."I've been with you and Sev almost my entire life. I want to do something for
Sev had watched it all unfold, seeing Calix turn a blind eye to Mae's feelings time and again. Despite Mae's efforts to show she cared, Calix just couldn't see it.But now, Sev found himself rooting for Mae. Her decision to leave the company felt like a big step, a way for her to value herself and maybe make Calix realize what he was missing.Maybe Calix never saw Mae as someone he could be with because she was always one of the guys. But even though she acted tough, her love for Calix was clear to anyone who cared to look.Sev couldn't help but admire Mae's loyalty. For years, she stuck by Calix's side, turning down other people because she only had eyes for him. And maybe, Sev thought, leaving was the best thing she could do for herself, a way to show she deserved better.But Sev on the other hand also felt like he did not want to let her go. And the last thing he knew, he was already running after her. "Mae!" He called out. Mae immediately halted midway before she reached the ele
Kai immediately ordered Calix to resume driving towards their intended destination. As the car lurched forward, Kai swiftly reached for his handkerchief, expertly knotting it around Mae's wrists to secure her hands behind her back.Mae's heart pounded in her chest as she felt the fabric cinch tightly around her wrists, her movements restricted by the tight bindings. She shot a furious glare at Kai, her eyes blazing with defiance."What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Mae seethed, her voice laced with anger and fear.Kai's expression remained impassive as he tightened the knot, ensuring that Mae's hands were securely bound. "I'm making sure you don't do anything stupid," he replied curtly, his tone brooking no argument.Mae struggled against her restraints, her frustration mounting with each futile attempt to free herself. But Kai's grip was firm, his resolve unwavering as he maintained control over the situation.As the car finally came to a stop, Calix stepped out and opened th
As the evening drew to a close, Mae and Brian left the restaurant together, laughing at each other's jokes. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped out onto the street. Mae was feeling quite content until she suddenly flinched, her eyes landing on two familiar figures standing a short distance away.Her heart skipped a beat. It was Kai and Calix. Both of them seemed to be waiting for her, and the sight of them together filled her with anxiety and confusion.She quickly tapped Brian on the shoulder. "Brian, can you go ahead without me? I need to handle something."Brian looked at her with concern. "Are you sure everything's okay, Mae?"Mae forced a reassuring smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Really. It's just something I need to deal with."Brian hesitated, his worry evident. "Are you positive? I can stay if you need me to."She shook her head gently. "It's okay, Brian. Thank you for tonight. I’ll be fine."Though he was reluctant to leave her, Brian nodded. "Alright, if you're sure. But
The weekend finally arrived, and Mae, who usually cherished sleeping in on her days off, found herself waking up early. She stretched lazily and walked out of her room. She had a quick breakfast and she to get a head start on some chores.Mae moved through her apartment, tidying up and organizing. She washed the dishes, did a load of laundry, and straightened up her living room. The simple tasks helped settle her nerves as she thought about the date tonight. Despite her initial reluctance, she found herself growing curious about the kind of man she could possibly meet. Around mid-morning, Mae took a break and turned her attention to her bedroom closet. She carefully took out the dress she had bought a few days ago, laying it out on her bed. The navy blue fabric shimmered softly in the morning light, and Mae who weren't really a fan of wearing dresses somehow felt excited. The dress had felt perfect then, and now, as she looked at it, she felt reassured. It was the right choice.Afte
Days passed since Mae last saw Kai and Calix flew back home. Her life had settled into a quiet routine, though she couldn't deny being annoyed by the constant attention from the two men. Yet, in a strange way, she had grown accustomed to their presence and the trouble they brought.Mae sighed as she continued typing on her computer when her coworker, Sebastian, approached her with a cheeky smile and a cup of coffee in hand."Yo, Ms. Delgado," Sebastian greeted. "Busy as always, huh?"Mae smiled at Sebastian's greeting, setting aside her work momentarily. "Hey, Sebastian," she replied, returning his cheerful demeanor. "Yeah, you know how it is, always something to keep me occupied around here."Sebastian chuckled. "Tell me about it. So, any exciting plans for the weekend?"Mae shrugged. "Not really, just the usual. Probably catch up on some reading and maybe binge-watch a new series."Sebastian nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "Sounds relaxing. I might hit up a party my friend's th
Mae stood up and looked him straight in the eyes."I don't want men who toy with me, and you're no exception. If I had the guts to leave behind the man I have loved for years, imagine what I can do to someone like you, whom I know nothing about except his name." Her words shocked Kai."So get the fuck out of here and don't show your face to me ever again. I am not obligated to answer to you. I owe you nothing.""Ha! Are you seriously doing this right now?" Kai chuckled bitterly, ruffling his hair."Yes. But if it's inconvenient for you, why don't you stay here for the night? I mean, I'm kind enough to at least care for someone's life," Mae spoke rudely."So you're choosing your... I don't know? Childhood love?" Kai mocked, displeased at the possibility that she might choose Calix. He was confused as well. Why would he even go after someone like Mae? Why would he feel this much pain from just words? Why does he feel like he is currently being dumped? He couldn't stand it.And so Mae a
But before she could even give a response, the door burst open, revealing Kai, who immediately dropped his smile the moment he saw her with another man.Kai's expression darkened as he took in the scene before him, his eyes flickering between Mae and Calix. She raised a brow at Kai's reaction, "Why are you here?" She asked nothing out of disrespect but just simply curious. Calix who was still weak from his fever, shifted uncomfortably on the couch, "This guy?" he murmured out of disbelief and rose from his seat defensively. There was an obvious tension in the room as Calix knew well who Kai is. "You're living with this guy?!" Calix scoffed that made her stand up, alarmed that a fight might break out."Calix, calm down. It's nothing like that." Mae pleaded and immediately blocked her arm in front of him only for Kai to take the chance to grab her. "It's exactly like that. So get out of this fucking place before I burn this down with you in it." Kai warned with predatory eyes starin
After checking out of the hotel, Mae immediately took a taxi back to her apartment.As she thought she had already gotten away from her problems, another one sprung up. Because as soon as she arrived at her apartment door, she caught sight of Calix sleeping on the floor.Calix was all curled up, looking pale, wearing only the clothes he wore yesterday.Just then, a neighbor passed by and saw Mae, unable to resist intruding."He's been there since last night," the lady informed Mae."What?" Mae flinched, surprised and worried."Yeah. I told him you and the other guy were out and that he should go home. But he said he wanted to wait for you. I guess he got worried when I said you're living with a guy," she shrugged and went inside her own apartment.Mae sighed and conceded to give Calix a proper apology after everything she had said yesterday. But the moment her hand touched his skin, Mae's eyes widened as she realized that Calix was hardly breathing because of his high fever.Without w
And so, Mae ended up sleeping beside Kaius. Although she was against it at first, she had no choice, such that Kaius never wanted to sleep anywhere else aside from Mae's side.He acted like a clingy child.It was a scary experience for Mae.Yet she was so deep in their sleep that she couldn't notice herself snuggling into Kai's arms, and it woke him up.Turns out, Mae had already unconsciously gotten used to sleeping with Kai beside her. Or more like, she had already gotten attached to the man.Kai stared down to look at what was causing his breathing to be compressed, and there he saw Mae curled up against his body. His throat down to his chest vibrated as he chuckled, enjoying the sight."And you wanted me to go home?" He mumbled almost in a whisper and brushed off a few strands of Mae's hair away from her face."Look at how much you've gotten used to me. Are you sure you want me away?" He added and carefully, gently pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her."Ah, your quick l
Later that day, as the sun dipped, Mae decided to stay at a hotel rather than go back to her apartment because either she was going to meet Calix on the way, or Kai would be in her living room.She didn't really want to see either of them right now. It was a good thing she brought her phone and wallet with her.As soon as Mae entered her hotel room, she instantly jumped on the bed to cool her head off. She looked at her reflection on her phone screen and groaned, seeing how red and puffy her eyes looked."Yep. I look ugly," she confirmed, agreeing with what the little boy had said earlier.She turned and lay down on her back to stare at the ceiling."You know what? Damn those two. Grr! I couldn't even stay in my own apartment 'peacefully'," Mae complained and started flailing out of frustration.Eventually, she calmed down and let out a long sigh. "I need to figure out how to deal with this," she muttered to herself, staring back at the ceiling as if searching for answers. After a w