✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧I settled beside Poppy and placed the glass of milk I had prepared in front of her. She flashed me a faint smile. “Thank you.”I took a seat directly across from her. The round wooden coffee table was small, bringing us close together. The balcony light was still on, casting a soft glow over us, complemented by the moon’s radiance and the twinkling stars above. “How are you feeling? Are you okay now?”She nodded. “I always feel fine when I’m here with you. I just didn’t expect Chloe to show up earlier.” Leaning toward me, she unexpectedly lifted her hand to touch my cheek where Chloe had slapped me. “Does it still hurt?” Her thumb brushed gently over the spot, and my heart skipped a beat. “It’s still a bit red.” I felt a spark at her touch, the electricity surging straight to my core. Damn it!I reached for her hand resting on my cheek, carefully taking it and lowering it before my heart could stop racing from her gesture. “I’m okay now, Poppy,” I said, offering her
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧A week had passed since Chloe’s unexpected visit, and today, Poppy’s parents had called us over for dinner to talk. Mommyla informed me that we needed to go to the Herald mansion.We were supposed to visit last week, right after returning from the wedding, but that didn’t happen due to the scandal Chloe had caused. Mommyla also advised us to stay away from Poppy’s parents for now and to wait until things cooled down. When the Heralds went to confront us about our situation—specifically, that Poppy and I were married—the couple were furious, especially Lucio.But now, we have to face them. My parents wanted to join us because they were worried about Poppy and me, but I insisted they stay behind. I can handle this. I would manage.“Poppy?” I called softly. “Are you okay?” I asked with concern. My car had stopped in front of their mansion, but we still hadn’t gotten out. We had been sitting in silence for a few minutes; she looked lost in thought and anxious. I could f
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧"You ready?" I asked Poppy softly, turning slightly toward her from the driver’s seat.It's been two weeks since we last visited her family’s mansion, where we had a confrontation with her parents. Now, they’ve invited us again, this time for a family dinner.According to Mommyla, who I spoke with a few days ago, it seems Poppy's parents have finally accepted our situation. She said they had no other choice but to come to terms with it. But I don’t think that’s the real reason. I suspect it's because I threatened them—something they didn’t expect, especially since I know what they did to Poppy and their plans for her."They won’t argue with us again, will they?" Poppy asked nervously, her voice trembling.I shook my head. "I don’t think so. And even if they do—again—I’ll stand up for you. I’m not going to let you face them alone, so there’s nothing to be afraid of."Slowly, the tension in her brow eased, and a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Will you hide me behind
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE: COFFEE DATE✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧Since I started driving away from the mansion, I could feel Poppy’s gaze fixed on me. I didn’t turn to look at her, but out of the corner of my eye, I could tell she was staring.“Just a little longer, Poppy, and I might just melt under your gaze,” I joked, a slight smile creeping onto my face. “You could always tell me if I’ve got something on my face or if you’re just swooning over me again.”I heard her let out a soft giggle. “You’re impressive,” she replied. It was only then that she shifted her gaze from me to the road ahead as I continued to listen to her. “I didn’t know you could silence Mom and Dad, even Chloe, with your words. I can’t do that. I’m scared of them. But you, you’re so brave. No one has ever stood up for me like that. Just you. And it feels so good.” She turned to face me again, and I mirrored her gaze. She was smiling at me. “I feel like no one will bully me anymore.”I returned her smile before looking back at t
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧The night was quiet, the moon casting a faint glow through the window of my room, as I lay still on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, feeling restless. My thoughts were entirely focused on Poppy, and my heart beat with a mix of eagerness and nervousness.We arrived home around nine in the evening. Upon our return, Mom and my siblings greeted us, asking how our visit to the mansion went. Of course, to avoid worrying them, I didn’t share everything.By the time our conversation ended, it was almost ten, and everyone went up to their rooms. But now, it's already 11:30 p.m., and still, no message from Poppy.I reached for my phone, checking it for what felt like the hundredth time, hoping to see a message from her. The screen remained stubbornly blank, and I let out a frustrated sigh. She had mentioned earlier that she might invite me to sleep in her room, just like we had done when we were at Mommyla’s vacation house. The thought of being close to her again, of provi
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧Immediately, Poppy jerked her face away from mine, separating our lips, her breath trembling, her eyes wide with a whirlwind of emotions. Her body followed suit. But then the worst happened— "Ahh!"I doubled over in pain as she accidentally braced one of her knees against my c*ck while trying to push herself up. The shock and intensity of the pain hit me like a bolt of lightning, blurring my vision. She had kneed me there, and it felt like the end of my lineage."F-Faith, I-I'm so sorry," she stammered, her voice shaky with panic as she crouched beside me. Her hands fluttered helplessly, unsure of where to touch me or how to help.I lay on my side, writhing on the floor, the pain so intense that it brought tears to my eyes. Each breath I took was sharp and shallow. Thankfully, my earlier cry wasn’t loud enough to be heard by my family, so I still had that small relief.“P-Poppy,” I called out weakly."Are you okay? W-Where does it hurt? What should I do?" she asked,
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧The clock chimed eleven, its soft ring almost lost in the silence of the night. I slowly cracked open my bedroom door, just enough to peek outside. Seeing nothing but darkness and quiet, I decided it was time to step out.I gently pulled the door shut behind me, making sure not to make a sound. The house was silent, everyone fast asleep. My heart raced with anticipation as I tiptoed towards Poppy’s room.I reached her door, slowly turning the handle and slipping inside. The dim light from her bedside lamp cast a warm glow over the room, highlighting her delicate features. She sat on the bed, turning to face me, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. Without a word, I slipped into bed beside her, wrapping her in my arms.She giggled as I showered her with kisses on the cheek. I wasn’t shy anymore—it had been a week since I’d started sneaking into her room. Sometimes, even before she texted me, I’d already be here. Just like tonight.I always came to her at eleven, whe
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧I FELT a surge of excitement as I closed my laptop and gathered my things. It was Wednesday, and taking a half-day off was a rare occurrence for me, but today was special because Poppy and I had plans.I glanced at my watch—it was 11:10 AM. Poppy’s tutoring session would end at noon, and I wanted to be home when she finished. She knew we were going out today since I had texted her earlier, but I hadn't told her where we were headed yet.When I arrived home, I saw Poppy’s tutor’s car still in the driveway, so I knew they hadn’t left yet. As I stepped into the house, I was met by Poppy and her tutor, who were just about to leave. The tutor was holding a box of cookies, and both of them were smiling, clearly having a pleasant conversation.The moment Poppy saw me, her smile widened, and I quickly returned it. As they stopped in front of me, Poppy eagerly introduced her teacher. “This is Teacher Nicole,” Poppy said, knowing I hadn’t met her before. When the tutor usuall
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧I reclined on the couch, attempting to shake off the tightening knots in my stomach. My entire family was gathered in the living room, including Poppy. We all sat on the couch, anxiously awaiting news about the fake Lucio and the deception that had ensnared so many.A month had passed since the Samonte family was apprehended. The hearings had commenced, but today marked the first time the media would reveal the details of the case. Mr. Herald had been preoccupied with further investigations into the mansion and the company, uncovering a web of corruption tied to the imposter Lucio. The charges against them would multiply, thanks to slush funds that had come to light.Our faces were etched with tension as the broadcast began. The atmosphere was thick with unvoiced anxieties, each of us bracing for the next revelation.The news anchor’s voice sliced through the stillness, sharp and resolute. “Breaking news tonight as we delve into the truth behind the identity of the
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧We took Poppy home after the doctor gave us the all-clear. Aside from bruises on her skin—which, as we learned, were caused by the impostor, Lucio—she didn’t suffer any other injuries. Thank God.The doctor did warn us, though, that the bruises would deepen before they heal, so he advised us to do ice therapy on those areas and apply aloe vera regularly.The real Mr. Herald couldn’t join us just yet, even though he wanted to, since he has a lot to attend to right now. Among his priorities are the Samonte case and the company conflicts that arose once the truth about the impostor, Lucio, was revealed. He plans to go back to the mansion to straighten things out there before bringing Poppy back.He promised Poppy he’d visit her at home whenever he had free time, not only to spend quality time with her, but also to get to know Mom, Dad, and me better as her in-laws.“Poppy, I’m so sorry.” Summer was in tears as she hugged Poppy tightly as soon as we stepped into the hou
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧We dashed to the hospital, my mind spiraling through every possible scenario. The police officer hadn’t given Dad any details about what happened to Poppy, leaving me drowning in worry.The drive felt interminable, each minute dragging as we anxiously awaited news. When we finally arrived, we were met by a police officer in the hospital lobby."Here for Poppy Lee?" the officer asked us, his tone calm and reassuring. Mom responded with a nod. "She’s in the emergency room now. She’s been stabilized and is resting."I released a shaky breath, my heart still racing as we followed the officer to the ER. Beside me were Dad, Mom, Hope, Love, and Summer.As we approached, I saw Poppy lying on a bed, looking fragile and pale, surrounded by medical equipment that beeped and hummed softly. Despite the medical equipment, she looked peaceful, her chest rising and falling with each breath. But that wasn't all I noticed. Red marks were scattered across her arms. I stood frozen, ro
CHAPTER SIXTY: ARRESTED꧁ POPPY ꧂Those footsteps had always widened my smile as a child, a clear signal that he was home from work.I kept my gaze fixed on the door, waiting to see who the officer had summoned outside. After a few seconds, I gasped when I caught sight of a familiar figure. However, his face remained obscured by the officers surrounding him.The police stepped aside to let him through. As soon as he was unobstructed, my eyes widened even more, and my mouth fell open in shock. I heard Chloe inhale sharply when she saw him too; they shared the same face as Daddy.The moment he laid eyes on me sitting helplessly on the floor, he dashed over, dropped to his knees in front of me, and embraced me tightly, tears streaming down his face.“Poppy. My daughter…” he cried, his voice breaking.I was frozen, confused, and unable to react. I couldn't articulate what I felt as he repeatedly ran his fingers through my hair. Why did he call me his daughter? And why did he look so much
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: FOOTSTEPS꧁ POPPY ꧂Chloe had me sit on the sofa, and she took a seat beside me. Daddy stood across from us, flipping open the brown envelope he had brought along. Inside, I saw him pull out a stack of papers. My hands started trembling from nerves, and it felt like my throat was closing up. Was this it? The day I’d dreaded for so long? Would they take everything from me and then... what? Were they planning to kill me?Lord, please help me.I kept whispering a prayer in my mind, just like Faith once taught me when we were falling asleep side by side. His words echoed in my thoughts: “Whenever you’re scared, whenever you’re anxious or unsettled… just pray.”With my eyes closed and hands clasped tightly, I prayed silently, only to be interrupted by Daddy’s voice. “Poppy.”I quickly opened my eyes. “Y-Yes?” The documents he’d taken out of the envelope were now laid out in front of me.“Since you don’t know how to sign, I’ll need your thumbprint.” He pushed a stamp pad
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧The world seemed to blur as I dialed the police, my heart pounding like a drum. Every second Poppy was missing felt like an eternity. When someone finally answered, I immediately explained the situation. I reported her missing so we could speed up the search, because if we didn’t act fast, I might just die from worry—she’d been gone for nearly an hour."She's about 5'3", long brown hair, hazel eyes. She was wearing a peach dress with a black coat tied around her waist," I explained to the officer when they asked for a description of Poppy.“We'll put out an alert and start checking the area. Do you have any idea where she might have gone, or if anyone could have taken her?”My chest tightened as my heartbeat quickened, the thought of her greedy family flashing in my mind. Frustration bubbled up inside me. “Her family,” I said without hesitation.I briefly explained to the officer why I suspected her family, and after understanding the situation, they assured me they
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN: IT'S CHLOETHIRD PERSON’s POV"Come inside first, Poppy," Summer gestured for her to enter the cubicle. "Just stay here for a bit, okay? I'll just check in for attendance real quick. Our room's nearby, I won't take long. I'll come back for you right away."Despite her hesitation, Poppy reluctantly nodded. Once Summer left, she quietly shut the cubicle door and waited. Only a few moments had passed when she heard the sound of footsteps and the laughter of girls entering the restroom. Some occupied the empty stalls, and Poppy could hear the loud slamming of doors."Hurry up! I really need to pee!" one of them shouted."Hold on! I just got in! I haven't even sat down yet!" another girl replied.Poppy listened quietly, but she jumped when someone banged on the door of the cubicle she was in. "Is someone in there?" a girl’s voice asked.The pounding echoed in Poppy's chest, her heart racing. Though she didn’t want to, she was forced to open the door. Embarrassed, she s
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧It’s Friday again, and Mommyla invited us over for another family dinner. Hope and Love couldn’t attend since they were both busy, so it was just me, Mom, Dad, Summer, and Poppy.After we finished eating, Aunt Baby took Poppy and Summer upstairs to her room, saying she had some clothes to give them—things she had only worn a few times but no longer liked. The rest of us stayed seated at the table, even though the meal was over. An awkward silence hung in the air until Mommyla turned to me.“Faith,” she said, her tone gentle but clearly leading somewhere. “How is Poppy adjusting to married life? Is she still finding her way?”“She’s doing fine, Mommyla,” I replied.“She’s eighteen now and fully entitled to her inheritance. Are there any issues we should be worried about? I remember hearing her parents wanted to remove her name from all the family properties once she turned eighteen.”A knot tightened in my stomach. “They haven’t made any moves yet, Mommyla. I don’t k
✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧I FELT a surge of excitement as I closed my laptop and gathered my things. It was Wednesday, and taking a half-day off was a rare occurrence for me, but today was special because Poppy and I had plans.I glanced at my watch—it was 11:10 AM. Poppy’s tutoring session would end at noon, and I wanted to be home when she finished. She knew we were going out today since I had texted her earlier, but I hadn't told her where we were headed yet.When I arrived home, I saw Poppy’s tutor’s car still in the driveway, so I knew they hadn’t left yet. As I stepped into the house, I was met by Poppy and her tutor, who were just about to leave. The tutor was holding a box of cookies, and both of them were smiling, clearly having a pleasant conversation.The moment Poppy saw me, her smile widened, and I quickly returned it. As they stopped in front of me, Poppy eagerly introduced her teacher. “This is Teacher Nicole,” Poppy said, knowing I hadn’t met her before. When the tutor usuall