"WHAT the hell? You're really old and you've become forgetful!" Gardo scorned.
"Why don't you just shut your mouth and help me find it?" Soledad glared at him and looked around for the cell phone. She can't remember where she placed it because she was panicking earlier.
"Look for it later, use this!" Gardo handed his cellphone to his companion.
Nicole kept her eyes closed, but she knew that Soledad was taking a video of her. "Please, take good care of my children. I know I won't last longer…"
Soledad quickly cut off the video recording before Nicole could say everything she wanted.
"But I hope you let my three children live." Nicole continued to plead with the two while crying. But she got no response from them.
"I'll take the child, you don't know how to drive anyway. Find your phone and call Ma'am Danica to let her know that the child is not well." Gardo hurriedly took the baby from Soledad.
After Gardo left, Soledad left Nicole without a care. She felt a tingling sensation in her stomach. She could not leave her for hours and now she feels the need to urinate.
Nicole's body felt heavy as she lifted herself up. She quickly grabbed Soledad's cell phone, which she hid and turned it on.
Kanor could not sleep that night. To this day, he still thinks about Nicole's disappearance, he has considered her as his daughter. He secretly watched around the house where she used to live with her parents, but he did not see even her shadow. His worries for her prevailed over his resentment because she had not even said goodbye to him before she left.
Nicole quickly dialed the number she still remembered and prayed that he was still awake and that her call would be answered immediately.
"Hello?" Kanor answered the call, it was ringing nonstop.
"Father, help me!"
He instantly jumped up from lying on the bed when he recognized the voice from the other line. "Nicole? Where are you and why do you sound sick?" he asked worriedly.
"Dad, I don't have enough strength. They won't let me live."
Kanor shuddered as he listened to Nicole's weak and trembling voice. He quickly took his car key and ran out of the house.
Nicole quickly sent her location to Kanor, who she has considered as her second father. She didn't have time to speak anymore because she was getting weaker. She crawled to reach where her two sleeping children were. She was still bleeding, but she didn't mind it. She kissed the child on the forehead before taking the other one and exhausted her remaining strength to get out of the house.
It was dark all around because it was late at night at that time. With the help of the flashlight from the cell phone, she could see the road. She was grateful because the child in her arms remained asleep as she walked away from the house with her weak body. She didn't look back because Soledad might catch up to her.
"Bitch, where are you? If you don't come back, I will kill this one of your children!" Soledad shouted from the door of the house. She knew she hadn't gone far yet because she was still weak.
Nicole forced herself to not cry when she heard the cry of the child she left behind. But she had to do this. She turned off the flashlight of the cell phone, fearing that the person looking for her would find out where she is hiding. She was sure Soledad was just scaring her and using her baby. They will not let her live, so she had to temporarily escape and leave her two children. She knew the woman would not be able to kill the child, otherwise she will suffer from Danica's rage.
"I'll get the two of you back, that's a promise!" Nicole whispered to herself and continued in slow stride because she was still very weak.
Nicole quickly hid in a large tree when she saw Soledad use a huge flashlight and light up the surroundings. She was holding a gun, so she absolutely can't let herself be seen. The crying of the child who was left behind grew louder, as if she felt what she was feeling now. The child she was holding, on the other hand, seemed to be sensible and remained silent even though he has woken up.
"What the heck! Shut up, you kid!" Soledad angrily returned to the crying child and brought a bottle of milk to her mouth. She needs to go out and find Nicole. But there is no one else to take care of the child, she will be in danger in Danica's hands if something happens to the baby.
Nicole took the chance to escape. She secretly thanked her children, she had the chance to escape because of their help. She walked away faster. She no longer knew where she was because she was not using a flashlight.
Soledad could not leave because the child was crying too much. She was panicking, she could not even find her cell phone, she could not call Gardo to ask for help to find Nicole. She also can't tell Danica what's happening now.
Kanor drove the car very fast, but Nicole's location was still far away. As far as he could see, she was in Quezon Province and he came from Quezon City. He called the number Nicole used, again. He called for the tenth time and no one answered, thus he was very worried about her.
When Nicole made sure she was far enough, she sat behind a tree and leaned there. When she saw the cell phone she was carrying flashed again and there was a number registered on the screen, she immediately answered.
"Nicole, I'm on my way. Tell me, how is your condition now."
Nicole's tears flowed again when she heard Kanor's voice. "Dad, just… in case you can't make it in time. Please, don't leave my children in Danica's hands." She weakly pleaded. Her eyesight has become blurred and she had no strength to stand up.
"What is that you're saying? Don't give up for your children! I'll think of a way to get there right away!"
"D-Don't take me to the hospital." Nicole's last words to the gentleman before losing her consciousness.
Kanor slammed the steering wheel when the person from the other line did not speak anymore. He quickly scrolled down his contact list and thought he might know someone near the young lady's location. A few minutes later, he saw there was one and he immediately called the number.
"I'm on my way, Sir." Tony replied to the boss as he sped up the car. It is only right when he came from Lucena because someone hired him from the airport. The location is in the Tayabas part and he is only a few minutes away from there.
Kanor prayed hard and did not drop the call to be updated. There is no traffic on the road because it was already so late, so he can travel fast.
When Tony parked the car on the side of the road, he immediately got out. He followed the location given to him by Kanor. He walked, then, ran into the woods. He ignored how dark it is because life was what he had to save. He prayed that he would not encounter any wild animal.
The cell phone that had fallen to the ground remained on. The child inside the cloth slung over Nicole's shoulder began to cry.
Tony turned to the right when he heard a crying of a baby. If his boss had not said that there was a child with whom he would rescue, he would have been scared. Who would have thought there was a child in the middle of the forest if it was just an ordinary night for someone? He quickly dismissed the fear of thinking that it might be a little monster. He walked with large steps toward the direction of the crying baby.
"Thanks God!" Kanor burst into tears when he heard a child crying. He quickly ordered the staff to take Nicole to a secret place. He already called a doctor to examine her.
It was as if Soledad's baby patient was doing it on purpose because after an hour, she fell silent on her own. She doesn't seem to feel any pain now that she has fallen asleep. She slowly laid the child down on her bed and hurried out of the house. She hoped Nicole hasn’t been able to get away. But before she could get away from the house, she already felt scared. The surroundings were dark and only the chirping of insects could be heard.
Soledad went back inside the house again when she did not see Nicole around. She did nothing but wait for Gardo's return.
Danica cursed at Gardo when she found out he was in the hospital. She had called Soledad earlier, but she did not answer.
"Ma'am, the child's condition is critical, so I brought her here." Gardo explained the reason.
"Leave the child there with a nurse for now and go back to Soledad. Find out why her phone can't be contacted!" she angrily commands the man.
Gardo did not say more. He was also annoyed with Soledad, she neglected her job of contacting their boss. The baby was placed in the ICU and he understood nothing about what the doctor had said earlier about the baby's condition. He simply begged the nurse to watch over the child he claimed to be his grandson before leaving.
Soledad has no sleep due Nicole's disappearance with one child. The surroundings were about to light up when Gardo arrived. She immediately met him and ordered to look for Nicole.
"Bullsh*t! How did that woman escape you?" Gardo scolded the woman. He was also tired and had no sleep, yet he had to deal with this.
"Can you badmouth me later! Hurry up and maybe she's just around. I'm sure she hasn't got away from here. She's carrying one of the children, and it's definitely crying by now." She talked back to Gardo.
Without a word, Gardo turned around and walked down the road with traces of Nicole's blood. Soledad was right, it would be a miracle if that woman survived because it looked like she bled continuously. But he had almost wandered around the forest, yet he could not see the woman. He could not even heard a baby's cry.
"What are we going to do now?" Soleda asked the man nervously.
"What else? Lie if you still want to live!" Gardo was annoyed with the lady.
Soledad looked at Gardo, unconvinced.
"Let's just say that there were only two babies. Help me make a humanlike thing to put in a sack to show we buried it."
"But what if she's alive and shows up?" Soledad still asked nervously.
"It's your problem to hide so Danica can't find you. About me, I'll go far away when I receive the money!"
Gardo has a point, and fortunately, she did not tell Danica that Nicole actually had triplets. She simply agreed to the plan.
Gardo immediately answered the call from their boss. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but one of your plans failed. Nicole tried to run away when I was gone, Soledad shot her."
"Useless ones!" Danica angrily cursed them.
Her plan was to wait for Nicole to gradually die of exhaustion before informing her family. She would have pretended to let them know that she was the first to discover where she was and show the corpse to everyone. She would fake the cause of her death, tell them that she died shortly after giving birth. But since she died from being shot, she had to think of a different plan.
"Bury her there right now! Make sure no one else sees what you're doing. Make a deep hole so that no animal can smell her corpse!"
Gardo smirked after hearing his boss's decision. Soledad breathed a sigh of relief as their first problem was resolved. In Nicole's case, it will take a long time for her to recover even if she survives. On the other hand, they don't want to make a problem about the children. What matters is that Danica believed that she had killed Nicole and that she did not ask for the body. When they receive the money, she would go to a place where no one knows her. She will also change her identity.
Danica hurriedly got changed and called Gardo again when she remembered something."The babies, how are they?" Danica asked as she prepared to leave."The baby is in the incubator, Ma'am. The other one is being taken care of by Soledad. Both of them are girls." Gardo replied to her."Why didn't she answer my call last night?" Danica was still intrigued by this."Oh, Ma'am. Please be patient, Soledad is already old, that's why she is prone to nervousness. She was panicking last night and can't remember where her phone was placed. Plus, she chased after Nicole, so she didn't have time to think of calling you."Danica believed Gardo's story. Soledad allegedly became confident that Nicole could no longer stand because she was so weak after giving birth. She used the bathroom and after that, Nicole was gone. Danica smirked, she admired Nicole's courage. She was able to fight until her last breath."After you bury her, clean the house there. I'm giving you that house. Also, expect someone w
"They're heartless!" Kanor gritted his teeth when he heard the news from Tony. He instructed him to find out what Nicole's real family is doing."All they know is that it was Nicole's ash that they sprinkled into the sea. A powerful person must be behind all this, Sir. I saw Mr. Steven Scout and his grandmother.""If that's it, it's just right to hide Nicole from them. Whoever is the real culprit in what happened to her, only she can tell." Kanor's feelings were replaced by sadness when his attention returned to the sleeping young lady. Her skin color has returned to normal. But she hasn't woken up since they found her."I heard the woman with Mr. Scout is called Danica." Tony continued the story.Kanor's eyes narrowed and his fists clenched when he heard the name of the person Nicole last mentioned. "Don't leave my children in Danica's hands.""Children?" Kanor said softly, remembering the last word she said when they were talking on the cell phone."Maybe the child that Danica was c
"I'M so happy for you!" Rita ran to Danica and hugged her tightly."Thank you!" Danica tearfully hugged her back. Then, she looked at the old woman and thanked her."From now on, you can call me, Grandma." Although she was not smiling, Danica could feel her sincerity."Yehey! Will I have a baby brother when you and Mommy are married, Daddy?" Daniela asked innocently.Danica and Rita slowly lose their smile when they heard what the child had asked Steven.Daniela confusedly looks at her father when he cleared his throat. When her father acts like that, she knew that he didn't want to answer her question. She exchanged gazes with her mother, she was glaring at her. She quickly squeezed herself in her father's arms and hid her face there. She gets scared when her mother gets mad at her. She hurts her and tells her she will give her to someone else if she wasn't obedient. She couldn't complain to her great-grandmother and father because she did not want them to fight with her mother.Eve
"WHERE did you go, honey?" Nicole asked her son worriedly while hugging him tight."I'm sorry for making you worry so much, Mommy." He hugged his mother back. He had always felt that his mother was afraid of something and did not want to lose sight of him, especially when they were in a public place."Promise me you won't do it again. You're not familiar with this place, so you should ask Mommy first if you're going or doing anything."His mother's tone and face were so serious, thus he did not say anything. He raised his right hand and nodded as a promise to her. But his other hand was hidden behind his back and was doing a cross finger. He smiled at his mother to erase any doubt in her mind. Even when he was young, he could quickly remember everything in a place. He is not the type of child who will cry and be scared when lost in a crowded place.Smiling, she led his son back to the baggage area and their bag was already there. When they left the airport, Kanor was there waiting for
"What's the matter?" Steven asked Tony when the car suddenly stopped."I think the tire is flat, Sir. Wait a minute and let me see." He hurried out of the car and did not wait for the young boss to say anything.Steven just opened the car window and watched Tony going to the back of the car. When he looked at a tire in the back, it was indeed flat. He looked at his wristwatch, if they stayed there longer, he would be late for his destination."Sir, I'm sorry about the problem. I don't know why the tire got a hole. Maybe it's better that you call someone you know around here to ask for help for your safety. I'll stay here until the mechanic I called arrives."Steven understood the gentleman and he was not angry with him. The place where they are now is not safe for him. He was about to dial the number of a friend who was also on the site he was going to when suddenly a car stopped near them.Nicole rolled down the car window and stuck her head out there. "Do you need help, Mister?"Ste
"Honey, are you okay? I heard your car broke down earlier." Danica asked the young man worriedly as she entered his office.Steven is used to Danica's endearment. But he seemed to suddenly feel awkward with it now."I called you earlier but you didn't answer, so I was even more worried. Then I called Tony and he told me what happened." She explained to the young man. She knew he didn’t want her to know his every move, especially when he was outside."I wss in the middle of a meeting when you called." His response to Danica was cold.Danica sighed. When the tone of the young man's voice was like that, she knew he didn't want to talk anymore."I called our daughter and she was looking for you." She changes the subject to regain the young man's attention.Steven's facial expression softened slightly, remembering his princess. "I will call her."Danica couldn't do anything when Steven gave her a look of dismissal. He does not want others to see how he can be a father to his child. A bitte
"Rita was said to be young when the accident happened with her parents. The cruise ship they were on sank and her parents were not lucky enough to survive. Rita survived and was stranded on a remote island with the child known as Nica."Kanor told the story to Nicole. He would have said more, but stopped when he noticed the reaction on her face."What's the problem?" he asked Nicole worriedly."Impossible," Nicole whispered tremblingly as she shook her head."Why?" He asked the woman again. It seemed like she had forgotten that he was there in front of her."How could she do all this to me and how did she find Tata?" Nica spoke to herself again. She remembered the memory from her childhood."Just call me Nica." Nicole introduces herself to the child she has been with before floating in the sea. She used to introduce that name to others as her nickname.Even at the age of eight, her courage was strong. Only people close to her call her by her nickname."My name is Ri…"The girl could n
Nicole looked around the office that's now hers. It was small compared to Steven’s office, but she liked it. There is a bathroom inside and a sofa on the side that is just the right length for guests."If there's something you want to change in your office, just say so." Steven said to the woman. He couldn't take his eyes off her while she was looking elsewhere.Nicole faced Steven with a wide smile on her seductive lips. "I like it!"Steven quickly averted his gaze from the woman's face. The words she said felt different to him. It seemed to echo in his mind as he recalled a memory of that night at the hotel."Uhm, I like it, please continue…" a woman pleaded in Steven's memory."Are you sick?" Nicole asked the young man worriedly when she noticed that his expression suddenly changed.He couldn't avoid her from touching his forehead. Steven felt the surroundings suddenly heat up because of a memory coming back to his mind.Danica clenched her fists when she saw from the open door wha
It took a month before Nicole was released from the hospital. And since she was discharged, a lot had changed in her life with her children. Her foster father Kanor was also in good condition. Danica was found guilty of the multiple charges filed by Steven. She will be imprisoned for life and she couldn't accept it. Nicole wanted to pity her, but not after all the evil she did against her and her children. She apologized to her and forgave her, but when she asked for help to not be in jail, she didn't help her. Steven and his whole family did not want to help her either. Rita made up for the mistake she had made even though she told her there was no need. She spoiled the children and Madame Asuncion added. Tony was no longer just a family driver. He was trusted by Steven and his family. Gaven also did not return to Canada because he had to manage the business of his father and be Steven's partner. Steven didn’t stop until she accepted his marriage proposal. She also wanted to build
It was already dark when Danica arrived at the mansion. She was tired from the trip, thus she went to her room. But before she could enter, the maid called her."Ma'am, do you want something to eat?"Danica looked at her with a smile. "I'm still full and I want to rest first. When Steven looks for me, please let him know I'm just in my room."Rita restrained herself from attacking and hurting Danica. She still had to stay calm until she was sure Nicole was safe. From Gaven, she knew that the two children were safe. She was greatly impressed with what Sean did and he saved his sister. But her brother hadn't called again yet. She didn't know if he had saved Nicole as well.Danica just smiled at Rita when she saw her. She waved at her before closing the door. With a smile on her face, she lay down on the soft bed and slept in a great mood."How is she?" Gaven asked Steven when he saw him."I do not know!" Steven answered in frustration. He had tweaked his own hair several times while wal
Steven quickly ran toward the ambulance carrying his third child whom he would see for the first time. Seeing the child's face, he couldn't hold back his tears."D-daughter? Daddy is here! Forgive Daddy if I only met you now."Even the police and staff in the ambulance were moved to tears by the event in front of them. They did not know the whole story about them, but they felt the great guilt and longing of the child's father.Steven's heart was filled with fear because the girl didn't open her eyes. She was also pale and thin. When he caressed her cheek, his fingers trembled."Sir, she needs to be taken to the emergency room for treatment."Steven did not answer the nurse who had spoken. He quickly picked up the child with care and ran to the emergency room."I beg you, do everything you can to save my daughter's life!""Sir, please calm down first and go out. We will do our best." The doctor said.Steven stepped out of the emergency room dejectedly. He was depressed because two liv
"I've found her!" Toby called to his partner.The man panted as he approached his companion. But before they could approach the kid with their back turned, they quickly ran away from them."Don't shoot!" Toby quickly pushed his partner's gun as he aimed at the running kid."But she's running!" "Are you dumb? What if you kill her? That's just a kid and we can easily catch her now!"The man scratched his neck even though it wasn't itchy."Come on, let's chase her before she gets away!"Sean ran faster, away from where his sister was. He was a fast runner and he's an athlete in their school. But the two men were faster, so they soon caught up with him."Shit, it's not the girl!""Le-Let me go. I'm sorry if I did something wrong!" Sean trembled with fear and struggled hard from the man's grip on his arm."Who are you and why are you running?" Toby hissed at the child. They could not clearly see his face because his cheeks were covered in mud."I was shocked when you shouted, so I ran. My
When Danica arrived at the other hideout, Brando met her immediately."You idiot, why did you leave this bag in my car?" She threw the bag at him and it hit his chest.Brando scratched his head when he saw the bag. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, I was in a haste and I didn't even think about where I put it.""Be glad and no one else saw this." She rolled her eyes at the man. She went to where Nicole was."Ma'am, could you let us taste her before you bury her alive?" A subordinate asked Danica while smirking.Danica smirked and looked at Nicole. She was irritated with her perfect body, so she was pleased to think that other men will harass her."Danica, don't do this to me. If you're going to kill me, do it now." Nicole pleaded, and she was afraid.Instead of feeling sorry for her, Danica became even more annoyed with the woman. She approached her and slapped her hard on the cheek."That’s for being the villain in my life! If you didn't come back, Rita and I would still be friends!"Nicole immedia
Rita entered Danica's room angrily when she regained her strength."Don't show me that attitude. Remember, you won't want to make me mad." Danica rebuked her."I want to make sure you're not doing anything bad to Nicole and Natasha. Call your henchman now so I can see they're still alive." She boldly commanded Danica."And why should I grant your wishes?" Danica asked arrogantly."You choose, to get your plan ruined right now or fulfill your dream to marry Brother? I'm not afraid to die anymore, Danica. I'm ready to risk my life for them!"Danica glared at Rita. She was hurt by what she said and she hated her. She had no choice but to call her henchman to show her that the two were still alive."Rita? I'm glad you came home safely." Nicole's eyes watered and she smiled while staring at Rita.Rita hardened her emotions to stay calm in front of Nicole. She was grateful and she had no bruises or signs that she was hurt.Danica quickly ended the call because she didn’t want to hear drama
Madame Asuncion cried when she saw her granddaughter in the hospital. She was very happy and she was safe, but she noticed something had changed in her. She was quiet and she refused to speak even when asked by the police."Don't force her to speak now. I understand how she feels because I also experienced what happened to her." Danica said sadly.Rita averted her eyes from Danica and she might not be able to control herself. If a stare can kill, she was certain she would've died.When Gaven heard that Steven was in the same hospital, he went to them. He still can't contact or find Nicole, so he's worried."Sir…"Gaven turned to the man who called to him. When he recognized him, he quickly approached him."Sir, don't come near Sir Steven for now." Tony whispered as he looked around."What do you mean? Why can't I approach him? Do you know Nicole is missing and she can't be contacted anymore?""Let's go somewhere else, Sir. Please follow me." Tony did not wait for his response. He led
"I've changed my plan, Rita has to live so Steven and I can get married.""But what if she betrays you, Ma'am? Remember that she knows a lot and…""I know what I'm doing, so just follow what I want!" She irritably interrupted what else Brando had to say.Brando did not speak for a few seconds. "What are your plans now?"Danica smirked as she felt Brando gave up. The man was handsome and young, she could tell that he liked her, so he did whatever she said."Don't worry, I only need their wealth." She lied, so that he would not hesitate to cooperate with her.Danica needed Brando to be loyal to her. She can also use him one day as a man.Brando smirked and had hope."I want you to bring Rita and Nicole together because I'll talk to them. But don't let Natasha see Nicole, understood?""Yes, Ma'am." Brando replied with a smirk. He understood why the woman could not go there personally yet, because Steven was strict for her ‘safety’."Where are you taking me?" Nicole struggled to break fre
"Why did you suddenly come back? Did something bad happen?" Asuncion asked her grandson as they entered her room."Grandma, what was the agreement between you and Danica before the twins came out?"The Madame looked apparently guilty. "Why did you ask that?""I need to know, is it true that you gave Danica a condition to fulfill in order to be married to me?"Asuncion sighed and averted her eyes from her grandson. She knew what he hated the most was for someone to meddle in his life. "You know she has a problem with her ovary and the state of our clan when it comes to women."Steven no longer needed to hear the exact answer from his grandmother, what she said was enough."I don't want our bloodline to end with you. It's important that you have a child who will carry our family name." The Madame explained to her grandson."I understand and thank you for understanding my situation." He said sincerely.Steven didn't stay long in his grandmother's room. He did not want to tell her the tru