"We don't know what else he's planning. We can't catch his plans, and what's even more concerning is that it seems like he knows our plans." "Kill him," Lucas' voice was firm. I was on my way out when I overheard them talking by the pool area. Curiosity got the best of me. Instead of walking away, I managed to hide behind a curtain where I knew they couldn't see me. "If that's the only way to stop him, then so be it. Kill him," Lucas reiterated. "But we're not like that, Lucas. We correct mistakes and don't resort to killing." "Do you think we can apply that to him? That man has no soul left, and no matter what you do, he won't change," Lucas argued. My eyes widened when I accidentally moved a large vase behind me, causing it to make a noise. I felt a sense of fear when no one spoke anymore. I swallowed hard and quickly moved to the other side. My heart raced as I heard the curtains being rustled. I doubled my fear, covering my mouth to stifle any sound. "It's nothing. Probabl
The sound of my cellphone woke me up. I kept my eyes closed as I reached for it on the nightstand. "Hello," I answered the call. "Why did it take you so long to answer!" Lucas's irritated voice came through. "Come over to the house, and hurry," he ordered. I furrowed my brows, opening my eyes. "Last time, you practically kicked me out, and now you're rushing me to come over," I retorted. "Just come here, Aurora. Your parents are here, and I just told them you went somewhere," he said, waking me up, wide awake. "What's going on there?" I asked, still in disbelief. "I don't know. Just get your ass over here and hurry up," he replied. "Tell them I'm at work—" "I'm not that dumb to say that if it's a Sunday. For fuck's sake, it's Sunday! Weekend." I scratched my head and sighed. "I'm on my way," I replied, resigned to the situation. I quickly got myself ready and headed to our house. When I arrived, they were all sitting in the living room, laughing! When Lucas saw me, he gave
I paused from sipping my water when I spotted a familiar face. Right now, I'm at the gym. It's been a while since I stopped working out, and I thought today was the best day to pick up where I left off, even though I've embraced the role of a housewife. "Look how small our country is," he remarked. I ignored him and, with my bag in tow, I stood up. I'm done with my workout anyway, and I can't wait to take a shower since I'm already sweaty. "Okay," he said, nodding as he continued trailing behind me. "Still the girl who doesn't acknowledge, I see." "Girl's locker room," I pointed to the sign above, while Haze continued to follow me closely. He raised his hands in surrender. I rolled my eyes and went inside. I had no idea why he was here again. It didn't even cross my mind that we'd meet again. I cleaned up and put on a simple pair of denim shorts and a white shirt. I was about to smack him when he intercepted me as I exited the locker room. "Are you crazy?" I said, irritated.
I pursed my lips, unable to believe what I was heard. "Hey!" I shouted, irritation making me follow him. "Am I a dog to you?" He shot me a harsh look. "Can you fucking shut your mouth?" he snapped, mirroring the frustration I was feeling. "What else are you doing here? I said, leave," he repeated. I chuckled, growing more irritated. "I'm not your dog. You can't order me around." I tugged at his arm, trying to pull him back, but he winced in pain. "You have a wound again," I said. He just glared at me before heading to the kitchen. "It's none of your business." "Yes, it is! You're still my husband, Lucas. We're still married on paper—" "Exactly, Aurora! Just on paper. Don't act like you care for me because you never did right from the start! I don't need your pity at all." "If I didn't care for you, why would I voluntarily tend to your wounds every time you come home with bruises, stab wounds, and nurse you back to health even when I have work?" "And now you're throwing what
I kept an eye on the guy who seemed to have been following me since earlier. Even though I came here to have fun by myself, I just couldn't. I felt like he had been following me for a while because no matter where I went, I saw him around. I didn't notice him at first, but when I started looking for other places to go, I saw him watching me. I also didn't trust what he was wearing. He was completely covered up. Wearing a cap, a mask, pants, and a jacket, even though it was scorching hot inside. I looked in his direction and tried to meet his eyes. Although I failed because of the cap he was wearing, I knew he was aware of my presence. He acted like he was busy, looking at the aquarium in front of him, and I took the chance to hide behind a group of people. He seemed restless, as if searching for something. He glanced around before eventually walking away. I let out a sigh of relief and continued to blend into the crowded area. I stayed for nearly an hour before finally deciding to
I fixed myself and headed towards the Amaricano Café. I was looking for his familiar face, and when I spotted him, I walked straight toward him. He was busy with his cell phone, so even if I cleared my throat, he didn't look up right away. I faked a cough to get his attention, and it seemed to work as he finally raised his eyes to me. He appeared surprised but composed, setting his phone down on the table to give me his full attention. "You really did. I thought you were just stringing me along because that's what I was expecting, considering how you firmly declined all my efforts," he said. I shook my head. "Maybe I shouldn't have stood you up," I teased. I just laughed when he shrugged. "I haven't even placed an order yet. I don't know what you want." I picked up the menu placed on the side of the table, and he did the same. "Would you mind if I asked why you suddenly decided to have coffee with me?" he inquired. I continued perusing the menu while his question lingered in t
"Are you sure you're not busy?" I asked Haze. "No, I'm not. Let's go, should I pick you up?" he asked back. I shook my head. "Let's just convoy," I replied, hurrying to grab my bag so I could leave. In the past few days, Haze was the only person I talked to. I didn't feel any embarrassment anymore because the more time we spent together, the more I got to know his personality. I left my room key behind, so I had to go back for it. When I opened the door, Lucas was there to greet me, and I almost yelled at him in surprise. "What are you doing here?" I asked with irritation due to the surprise. He seemed surprised to see me too but quickly composed himself as if nothing had happened. "Where are you going?" he asked. I furrowed my brows and raised an eyebrow. "I'm just going somewhere," I replied. "Do you need something? I'm in a hurry," I said while closing the door to my room. I raised an eyebrow when he didn't answer and finished closing the door. I was about to leave when I
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he asked angrily as he finally managed to get into the car, which had refused to start. We were planning to leave it behind temporarily and come back for it later. At this point, I couldn't complain anymore because Lucas was already furious. "It's too late now, Aurora." "If you didn't want to help me in the first place, then why did you waste your time coming here? You said you'd help, but now you're just complaining," I replied, unable to hide my frustration. I couldn't help but be irritated. Couldn't he just offer his assistance without all the drama? "Do you really think I'll let you stay here alone without any help? What if something happens to you? Who will explain to your parents? How will I explain to them that I didn't know you left the house—" Lucas argued. "Then, as simple as that. Tell them you didn't know because I moved out of the house and I moved into my condo," I interrupted. "Tell them that our annulment papers are already in proce
I was sore down there. When I woke up, Lucas was still sound asleep. I rummaged through his clothes to find something to wear and cover my body. My outfit was ruined from the outside down to my underwear. He was a beast! Even though I could barely walk properly, I felt no regret. I wanted it, and I won't deny it. He didn't stop until I was begging him to. I only managed to rest for a bit, but I woke up to him making love to my body again. I went straight to the kitchen to get some water. I must have run out of fluids in my body because of what he did. He was trying to hold himself back earlier, but when he laid me down on his bed, it was like he was going to tear me apart. I coughed when I felt his arms wrap around my waist and Lucas burying his face in my neck. "One more?" he asked, pulling me slightly, causing me to feel his hardness against my back. "I'll cut that off," I threatened him. I hadn't even had a proper rest! He just laughed while teasing my breasts, and
"You want more?" I brought the pasta closer to her that I hadn't touched. I was busy watching her enjoy the food I made. She hesitated to look at it. "Don't you want it?" she asked. I shook my head. "I'm not hungry," I replied. "You're wasting food. You shouldn't have cooked so much," she complained, although she was smiling as she took my plate. "Take it easy on the wine. You have low alcohol tolerance," I reminded her. She just smiled at me and gave her full attention to the pasta she was eating. "Does your fiancé know that I'm the one you're visiting here? Does he even know me? Who I am in your life?" She stared at me for a long time while chewing slowly, as if she was thinking. "Of course," she eventually answered. "Do I know him?" "You do," she replied affirmatively. "I'm just going to change my clothes," I said as I left her there. How I envy her for being able to move on and heal her heart that fast while here I am, still stuck on the day when she left me. I quick
"Put me down!" she complained as I carried her like a sack of rice. "Stop squirming!" I said, starting to get annoyed. When I opened my car, I finally put her inside. She looked at me with such anger in her eyes that it felt like she wanted to kill me. "I dare you to open that damn door. It is not funny, Aurora," I said seriously. "Why are you forcing me to go with you? I already said I want to go home—" "And I insisted to take you to your hotel. Yet, we need to talk first." "We have nothing to talk about, Lucas." I turned to the driver's seat. "Yes, we do. You haven't told me why you came here. Was it so important that you flew here when you could have just called me—" She laughed, which made me turn to her. "Call you for what? So I wouldn't see your girlfriend?" "She's not my girlfriend," I corrected her. "You kissed, and now she's not your girlfriend? Damn, what? Are you going to throw your girlfriend away?" "That was an accident, Aurora! I didn't kiss her," I defended
I gasped a breath before facing her. She was silently looking at me while I faced her. A mix of anxiety and fear consumed my system, but I didn't let it show. "Aurora," I said her name. "Lucas," she called me. I could see the surprise in her eyes as if she didn't expect to see me in front of her now. Her eyes pierced through me and looked behind. Even without looking, I knew she was looking at Justine. "You left your girlfriend," she said, now unable to look directly into my eyes. "What are you doing here?" I asked her. After four years, here she is... in front of me. I don't know how to act because I was too shocked by the situation and the fact that she saw me in such a bad state. If... If I could just hug her tight, I would. My attention shifted to her lips as she bit them, something she does whenever she is holding back from saying something. I tried to follow her eyes, but it seemed she was avoiding our eyes meeting. "I got a job offer somewhere here. The driver dropped m
I had been staring at her face for a long time. I was controlling myself not to make a move just to avoid scaring her. She was crying in front of me, and God knows how hard I was trying to hold back the urge to pull her into my arms. Seeing her cry made me want to cry too. As much as I didn't want to see her in tears, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't blame her because I knew she was carrying a heavy burden in her heart. She left the Pines without clarity about what happened before. She planted anger, and it seemed that it hadn't gone away until now. I am not asking her to forgive me anytime soon. I just want to apologize for what I did. I know that forgiveness isn't easy. I never planned to say goodbye to her. It was never on my list to talk to her before I leave, but I had no choice; it seemed this was meant to happen. "Goodbye," I love you. I could no longer hold back the tears streaming down my cheeks, so I hurried back to my car. I cried quietly as I watched her in front
"Aurora left her kids here. I can't leave them," Chris began as he answered my call. "Where did she go?" I asked, raising my eyebrows in concern. She still hadn't gotten over what happened before. She still leaves our kids anywhere. "I told you I can't leave the kids. How will I know? I am in front of Aurora's parents' house. The kids are playing outside," he reported. "I'm heading there now," I replied and ended the call. I turned the steering wheel to go back. Christian had said he was going somewhere, and I couldn't leave my children unattended. I wouldn't forgive myself if something bad happened to them. This is the only way I can ensure their safety. I had been away for a long time, though not literally since there were times I visited Sitel even when they weren't aware. "Thanks," I thanked Chris as he said he was leaving. "Superman!" shouted a familiar child's voice that made me turn. I looked back to see who was calling. Liam had a big smile on his face. Looking at his
"What are you doing here?" Noah asked. He was in front of me. If looks could kill, I would have been lying dead a long time ago. There were just some police around us, and I know how it feels like. The difference is that I was imprisoned because of Aurora's wish for me to be locked up, while this guy in front of me was here because he tried to kill someone. "Did Aurora visit you?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer. I was hearing updates about what was happening with Aurora. Chris was helping me keep an eye on her. It's not that I wanted to invade her privacy, but I needed to. The last time I decided to stop checking on her, in just a span of a fucking second, her life was in danger again. "She has already been discharged from the hospital, for your information. It seems your mother didn't tell you or give any updates about Aurora yet," I added. I smirked when I saw that he seemed to be interested in what I was saying. I felt pity for this friend of Aurora's. He had
I was left sitting here outside the house. Several hours have passed, and until now, Lucas and my children have not returned yet. I have peeked multiple times at the passing vehicles, hoping that one of them carries Luna and Liam. I wanted so much to rest, but I can't. I will wait for them to come back here. I can't bear it if my children were to disappear from me as well. They are my only family. Lucas cannot just steal my kids away and hide them from me. I have more rights than he does if we are going to talk about the kids, but what can I do if he has completely kept them away from me? I wiped the tears that flowed from my eyes. I am getting tired of crying. If I had known this would happen, I would have just stayed inside the house. If I knew that leaving my children just to talk to their father would lead to being separated from them, I wouldn't have left them. I messed up my hair again. Thoughts keep racing through my mind. I swear to God. I could spend all my money just to
I was almost ready to fly my car. The problem was that due to rush hour, I was having a hard time weaving in and out. I had been honked at by the cars I was overtaking, but my desire to catch up with Lucas prevailed. I couldn't explain why I felt anxious. I had just said earlier that I would keep my kids away from him, yet here I was, nearly crashing my vehicle just to reach his condo building. Why didn't he tell me he was leaving? If Noah hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known at all. After everything, he was going to leave? He would just abandon everything and bury it all? Did he want to start a new life and live more quietly? I exhaled forcefully through my nose. I grabbed my hair in frustration while staring at the car in front of me. Those few seconds felt like several minutes. "Damn you, Lucas," I muttered angrily. I kept glancing at my cellphone. I couldn't sit still as time kept ticking away. I didn't even know if I would still catch Lucas at his condo. My eyes we