A couple of months later, my baby bump slowly became difficult to hide. That was why I stopped going to the agency's branch in New York. I worked and managed the agency in that branch two weeks after we moved to the country.
I decided to take a leave from work during the second trimester of my pregnancy. We told the staff that it was due to my health because we couldn't tell the real reason.
It was hard to work and hide my growing belly, so I had no choice but to take a leave for a few months.
That caused a little trouble in the agency. They were concerned about me and how the agency would turn out. We had to assure them that what was going on with my health was manageable, and I will be back for sure.
I also told my staff that they would still be able to reach me when they needed me.
On the other hand, Percival stayed at home during our first week here. He said it was because he wanted to rest, but I knew he was just worried about
Percival seemed stunned as he stared at me.I assumed it was fine after he agreed to let the baby use his surname."Do you not like it?" I asked.His gaze dropped, lips curved. He shook his head before he looked back at me."That's not it. I'm just happy to finally see him." His eyes glanced at the screen. "And to share my name with him."As I looked at Percy, I thought about how happier could he get if it was his child. Because right now, all I could see in his eyes was warmth and care for the child in my womb.I quickly brushed the thought off my mind. I knew Percy only cared about the child because of me.Neither of us can have an ideal family because of the path we chose to take. I hope he doesn't blame that on me someday—I shook my head, of course, he won't.I'm sure he knew what he got himself into. I might've told him not to fall in love because it can be cruel. But he knew that too. Because the people we loved did
"You're going to be alright," Percival comforted me as he held my hand. "We're almost there." He seemed calm, but he also just ignored our plans for when today comes. He left our bags, and we didn't get to change our clothes. Surely the maids will bring the things we packed beforehand. The pain stretched from my back to my abdomen, then down to my knees. Although I had prepared myself for this, it was still nerve-wracking. Percival's presence really helped calm me down. I grew uncomfortable in my seat and overwhelmed by what was happening and what will happen later. I couldn't help but feel a little emotional when I remembered my mom. How can I not be reminded of her when I'm also about to be a mom? I wish my mother was here with me right now. I wish she could have been there for me during my pregnancy. I wish she could tell me about her experience. As I bit into my lower lip, tears welled up in my eyes. My hold o
TWO years and four months later, Percival's company had gone ahead of Salazar corporation.It was a year ago when I bought my shares in his company. I provided him the same support — if not more — that I had given Cadmus.The agency is also doing well, rising through the ranks of the world's most successful and well-known modeling agencies.It had been years since I last saw Cadmus and Minty. Things will be different when I return, and I couldn't wait to see the look on their faces once they see me again.Everything that Percival and I accomplished had proved how wrong they were in choosing me as their enemy.It was no time to celebrate. Cadmus could snag our place if we were too complacent. Besides, it was not enough. I still want him to lose more. It still fed my ego to prove that he was not so great without me. I made him the best, and I failed to see that before.Letting him have all the credit in the past was not my intentio
Eyes darting toward the phone, I could feel the anger slowly reminding my whole being that it was still there. How could he look so happy? The smiles on their faces, the ring that Minty was showing off, and everything about their engagement made me think that what I had done these past few years wasn't enough. They should be grieving for the reign that I took away. They should be repenting for the sins they had committed. Cadmus should be regretting how he betrayed me! They don't deserve to be happy after my mom died in the cruelest possible way—alone and hurt. This is unfair. I still live by the consequences of what they had done, but they're out there, happily planning for their wedding. My child had to go without us on that damn plane. While theirs was already free! They managed to fool the people intobelieving that Cadmus and I were already over when Minty got pregnant. Oh, Cadmus, I will rip that smile off your face once I return."Are you alright?" Percival probed. I bro
Percival held my hand as we walked inside the airport to get to our car. As expected, reporters were present, and they had a lot of questions for me."What is the status of your relationship?" one of the reporters asked.It was not in our plan to entertain any questions, so I kept my eyes away from them. Luckily the security was keeping them away from us.I looked down at our hands which were intertwined. Do they really have to ask that question? Wasn't it already obvious?Percival smiled as he gazed at me. He squeezed my hand, and I couldn't help but feel relieved that we could freely be this close in public this time. I remembered how he had to keep his distance during my mother's funeral to not create another issue and rumors about us.We drove out of the airport in one of his cars. When we arrived at Crescent Palace, the entire personnel in the lobby greeted us politely. But there was one person in particular who I couldn't wait to see.Percival opened the penthouse door for
It was raining outside when evening arrived. I was waiting for Percival in my office. He said he would pick me up after work to bring me home like he usually does since we began living together. My eyes were glued to the ring on my finger. The lavish and stunning diamond ring would never go unnoticed. I'm sure that some people would even recognize it right away and know that it cost a fortune. Looking at it made me recall what Cadmus had told me years ago. He tried to manipulate me into thinking that no one would want me. This ring would be a slap to his face once we finally see each other again. It was somehow amusing that he chose to meet me for the first time in three years at his wedding. Was it to show me how he was happy with Minty? Let's see if his ego can handle it when I turn the tables. The sound of the door opening drew my attention to it. Percival walked into the room. "Are you ready to go?" he asked. Looking straight at his eyes made me remember what happene
"It's done, Miss Kat," the make-up artist told me.My lips formed a smile as I stared at my complexion in the mirror. They aimed for a more natural look, which is what I requested. Let's be honest; I don't need to exert effort to stand out.I rose from my seat and changed into the dress my designer had sent me. It was designed in accordance with the theme that Cadmus and Minty provided for their guests. I don't plan to blatantly ruin their wedding, especially by not going along with the dress code. That's just ridiculous and not for me.I stood in front of the tall mirrors to see how everything turned out. The long beige satin dress embraced my curves. The thin straps made it possible to highlight my shoulders, collarbone, and even a fair amount of cleavage. Lastly, I wore my engagement ring and the simple necklace that Percy gave me.The side of my lips curled into a smirk before I turned against the mirrors. I stepped out of the room, and the first person that stood in front of me w
Reporters swarmed the entrance of the venue. Only a few were allowed inside, so the others flocked the gate not to see the wedding but to catch a glimpse of me. It was never announced that I was coming today, but someone leaked it online.That was all according to my plan. I ordered someone to leak the information to capture the public's eyes once again. The world watched when I was on the brink of my downfall, and they gossiped about me until now. They didn't care much about Cadmus anymore since he was no longer my husband. So it's just right to have the world see that I'm no longer that person from the past. The woman who had everything and lost it. Thinking back, the agency would have never survived if I didn't have people who supported me. It was hard to carry on when you had so much guilt and pain. Until now, I still thought about how things would be if I never fell for Cadmus. Maybe my mother would still be alive, and my son won't have a fake family. Perhaps, I could've shared
It took two days before the doctors said that my brother's condition had improved and he would wake up anytime soon. I wanted to stay by their side, but we had to head home each night for Marcus. After three days, we decided to discuss the situation with Helena. My family was my top priority, but it was time they filled me in with everything that happened while I was occupied at the hospital and at home.We were at the house, in Percival's office, along with Andrew and Rocco. They laid out pictures of where Helena was spotted after the incident.She might've gotten away, but she'd have no place to hide or people to rely on. Even her trusted assistant had agreed to help us in exchange for a clean slate. Helena might have had the upper hand when we didn't know who was pulling the strings. But even her people knew she'd lose the battle the moment she was discovered. Because in the world we live in, for most people, facing the Marquez head-on was just not possible.All of Helena's crimes
We decided to transfer Aisha here since we couldn't send her back to the hospital where she was originally admitted. She was determined to be by Koen's side, so we let her. I was sure my brother would want her to be at ease. So, we arranged her room to be next to his.While Percy was busy, I brought Aisha to Koen's room. I knew she wanted to run to his side the moment we entered, but she stood with glazed eyes by the door until I told her it was okay to come close. She greeted him with the softest voice I had ever heard and continued to be so careful as she touched him. My brother was still strapped to machines, and I hoped whatever Aisha was saying to him would be enough to bring him back.After she finished talking to him, we both sat quietly in his room. The nurses kept tending to her, asking her to return to her room, but she would beg them to let her stay by his side a little longer.I didn't say anything for the first hour that we sat there. Aisha was clearly worried, and I knew
This was a private hospital with a floor dedicated to their VIP patients. The lounge near the ICU and the corridor to my brother's room were exclusive to us. The other areas and rooms on this floor were also exclusive to the patients occupying them. It was impossible to loiter around without permission.We weren't accepting visitors. That was why this girl here was being driven away by the security and staff. But she seemed panicked, and her voice was begging."Who are you?" I asked as I walked toward them. My eyebrows were knitted as I scanned her appearance. She was wearing a jacket over her hospital gown. Her face looked pale, and she was wearing a beanie. Another patient?She looked at me in shock. I could sense the hesitation, but we both knew the only way to my brother was through me. And she seemed desperate. "I... I'm Aisha. I just want to see Koen. I want to know if he's alright.""Why? Why do you need to know? Who are you?" I asked again. Firmly this time. I had never met th
Light pierced through our curtains, indicating that I had been sitting on this bed for hours. The guards had secured the area, and Marcus had been moved back into his bedroom. My father and Koen were still in the hospital, and I felt too defeated to rush there and see them.I suppose this was the time to feel angry and start thinking of ways to punish whoever did this to my family. After all, anger was the only emotion I knew how to deal with. Because anger meant I could make people pay. I could put them in their place and make anyone regret crossing me. Either that or I shut down my emotions until there was no point in feeling them anymore.Anger. Hatred. Resentment. All of that made me believe that I could do something about the insurmountable grief from my mother's death and from losing the life I used to have. I thought, who could blame me? The grief was inescapable, and there was just no way around it.But the anger that pushed me to victory had also damaged the people and things
PERCIVALI was livid. So much so that my fingers finally curled into a fist. Veins popped out on my arms and neck. But Helena was too busy unbuttoning my shirt to notice all that. Her lips touched my collarbone, and her hands crawled on my chest. It was a challenge to keep my breathing steady when every part of me was aching to know that my wife and children were safe--to hold them close and feel them breathe. But I took on that challenge for them. To save them, I must first save myself. Helena was nothing but a big distraction that I plan to properly get rid of later. I ignored her and kept my eyes fixated on the fingers I could finally move."You know, I have a better idea," she whispered into my ear. "I think you'd start listening to me when I give you a son that's yours. You might even find it easier to forgive me if I carry your child."My gaze shot back at her. Despicable. I would've given her a scoff if I wasn't planning to trick her into thinking that the drug was still in fu
My eyes scanned the place to spot anything unordinary. Then I looked at my son and checked his clothes. Since Natalie had been here, I had to move Marcus to a safer place. So, I had to make sure nothing would track him. I gazed at Grace and Marcus' nurse and pressed a finger against my lips.There wasn't time for my questions to be asked or for the betrayal to be felt. But something told me that my relatives worked with Helena because of my uncle's greed. He had always wanted my father and brother's company for himself. How could they do this to us? Their family?"Natalie. She's been here," I said quietly. Grace began digging through her clothes, and the nurse followed her lead. They both knew the protocols, and we couldn't be too careful. Rocco gestured for us to follow him, and everyone did. We hurried to the back, with my son still in my arms. The next thing we knew, we were running toward the woods and into a shed. Thoughts were racing in my mind, but I stayed calm and focused o
"Natalie? What are you doing here?" I asked when I opened the door to see my cousin instead of Raya. Despite being my relative, she doesn't know about Marcus, and this house is far smaller than the penthouse. So, we were careful with who we invited over.I told the guards that someone from my agency was coming over. They knew Grace, but anyone else was asked to identify themselves. Since Natalie was a relative and a person from my agency, they probably let her in without too many questions. "Raya and some of the other staff had food poisoning earlier. So, I came to bring you these instead," she said, handing me the magazine and portfolio I asked Raya to bring. "I also got you these. Saw them while I was on my way."Natalie handed me a box of what seemed like pastries. I smiled and thanked her as I took the box and everything else."Food poisoning? How are they?" I asked. "Was it from the cafeteria?""Oh, no! It was food from outside that they shared. But they all seem fine, just a bi
PERCIVALThere was no fighting whatever they put in my food. So, I stopped struggling to save my energy. Alarms were blaring, that much I could register in my mind. They were having a hard time getting me out of the building. The voices and shouting indicated that my security had been alarmed. But I was already held hostage. They wouldn't be able to do much now. What I was counting on was for Andrew to fix this mess. If our trained men weren't spread too thin, they would've been here by now. Perhaps Katalina was right. I was being too stubborn. I should've brought more of our guards on my side--no, I should've been more cautious even around our relatives.The rest of it was a blur. I lost consciousness along the way. I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar room. I still didn't have control over my body, but I wasn't as bad as before. I tried to lift my arm, but it was too heavy and numb. Dammit."How long have you been awake?" A voice came from the corner of the room. I couldn't figure out
PERCIVALTali was still asleep when I opened my eyes. In college, I'd often hear people say that she probably slept with her arms crossed over her chest. . . like a vampire. Would they believe me if I told them Tali slept with her arms wrapped around my waist? That she would snuggle closer to my chest when I touched her hair? I wouldn't believe it either.The hardest part of the day was to get out of bed. I wake up a little earlier than my alarm every morning for this little time with her. When she was sound asleep and unaware of how glad I was to wake up next to her every morning. I sighed and kissed her forehead. Despite my desire to stay next to her the whole day, I slowly untangled her arms from my body. Careful so I wouldn't wake her up. I wanted to slow down mornings to have more time with her, where I could lay in bed for a while before heading to my son's room to see if he was also still asleep. I want all that at the beginning of each day. Leaving the house where my son and