When I finished my glass of wine, I decided to get some rest, leaving Pierce in the living room. Percival was still sound asleep, so I was careful not to wake him up. As my eyes lingered on his facial features, I thought once more of the disagreement. Waiting and hoping things would go my way won't put me at ease. I'm tired of watching their happy ending after mine was ruined. They seemed to pay close attention to me when I saw them at their wedding. That had led me to think that the two still had ill feelings toward me—they saw me as the villain in their lives after all. Seeing me miserable must make them feel like they really had won. Minty's earlier outburst; was either a confirmation of my assumption, or she still felt threatened. Whichever it is, I don't care as long as I get to return the same pain they inflicted on me. However, if Cadmus was trying to keep me close because he suddenly realized what he had lost and decided to get it back—that would be even better. Of course
I wasn't lying to Percy when I told him I had plans today and a lot of work. However, How can I refuse to give an audience to his grandfather? Percival would change the topic whenever I asked about his grandfather's thoughts on our marriage. Every time Percy would invite the man to meet us, he would say he was busy. So, I wonder why he came to see me. "I apologize for coming here without informing you beforehand," he said as soon as we entered my office. "No, it's alright." Arthur sneered, "this will be the last time I will come to meet you, so you do not need to worry. I sat on one of the sofas and motioned for him to sit on the other. His gaze was fixed on me as he settled on the couch. "I'll cut straight to the chase," he started. "I don't want you for my grandson." Even though I could that he wasn't convinced by Percy's decisions, hearing him say those words directly to me parted my lips. Arthur didn't come here to drive me away from his grandson because he doesn't have th
Percival stopped. My eyes remained on my hands as Hesitation settled in my stomach."You don't have to answer if you don't want to," I said. Although there were things I wanted to know, I didn't want to trigger any trauma Percy might have.I had always disliked Percy's father despite the little information I had of him. I was just convinced that he's an assholé."Yes," Percival said.My eyes widened. I felt the urge to turn around, but ironically, my body froze. If she's a Salazar, then Percy might be blood-related to them."I found out a few years after she died... I didn't tell you because I felt like I wasn't in the position to tell. It was something my mother tried desperately to hide. But believe me, I don't want anything to do with that family." His voice mixed with grief and worry. "You're not upset with me, are you?"That was my cue to turn to him. My forehead creased to show my confusion. He didn't tell me out of respect for his mother."Why would I be upset with you?" I aske
The day of the business trip arrived. I had to wake up before dawn to pack my things. I also had to deal with a few things at the office first.To my surprise, I found Percival in the kitchen preparing breakfast."It's 4 A.M, Percy. Why are you up so early?" I asked.But, it was more surprising that he didn't have anything to say about the trip. He didn't even ask questions when I told him about it."Your trip's today, right?" Percy said as he continued what he was doing. "I'm making breakfast for you."I pursed my lips. Why does Percy act like we don't have employees sometimes?Percival smiled at me and prepared the food. He placed the plate of pancakes on the bar counter and gestured for me to sit down.We sat next to each other as we enjoyed breakfast. It wasn't fancy since Percy wasn't much of a cook, but I appreciated it. He also knew how I wanted my coffee, so he prepared one for me before taking his seat."I haven't seen you pack your things for the trip," he said."Yeah, I've
"You could say that," Cadmus said before downing a bottle. "Do you want a drink?"Cadmus' eyes communicated with mine. It was telling me that he wanted to talk. So, I slowly sat on the empty spot on the couch across from him.He called the waiter and gestured toward me. I asked for a cocktail before focusing my eyes on Cadmus."About earlier..." he mumbled. "The time I gave you when we were together, was it not enough?"What time was he talking about? The one I begged for? The time he felt obligated to give me so he won't be called a bad husband?"Why are you suddenly bringing that up?" He was making everything easier for me, but my question was genuine.Cadmus was staring at the wall as he drank his beer."Because I still don't understand how you were able to leave so easily.""You cheated on me, Cadmus," I reminded him. My eyes examined the drink that I was holding.I glanced at him and saw how he emptied his drink again."What if it was a mistake?" he exclaimed abruptly. "And you s
My eyes were still closed, but I knew there was a light directed on my face. My eyebrows furrowed as I opened one eye.The light was coming from the window. It was still covered with curtains, but the light went through the thin fabric. I sighed.What time is it, and why is it so bright outside already?"Ugh," I groaned. "My head..."I grabbed a handful of my hair as I pressed my eyes shut to suppress the headache. My skull felt like it was splitting in two. I don't even know why.Did I drink a lot last night?I paused as I tried to remember what happened last night. I could only cuss under my breath when I couldn't recall how I got here.I remember drinking with everyone. Percival was beside me, so I must've loosened up too much. It was reckless of me to drink too many during a business trip, especially with Cadmus around.Percival suddenly stepped into the room. He had a tray in hand. It contained a bowl and a drink.He smiled when he saw me awake. He's smiling again, huh? Based on
My hand played with Percival's hair as I waited for him to let go. With his body so close to mine and the view in front of me, I wanted so bad to be stuck in the comfort of it.Percival took a deep breath before releasing me from his hold. He looked at me and smiled."You can go."I bit my lower lip as I thought of a life where I didn't know Cadmus... and I was in love with the person in front of me. Would we be close like this, or would it be so much more? Would I have a different experience with love? I wanted to know.However, something held my hand back from reaching out to him. In the back of my head, I knew I shouldn't feel this way. I could never let myself fall for Percival and let that feeling ruin us. I was fine with whatever we have right now."Will you continue to watch over Marcus?" I asked."Yeah, until I'm sure he's alright.""Don't you have to go to the company today?" I asked. We were both well aware of each other's schedules. "I'll grab my laptop and stay here with M
"Is this supposed to be your apology?" I asked. Did he take our last conversation as an invitation to rebuild the bridge I burned? He wasn't wrong. I did approach him to get close to him again. But that was nothing more than a part of the plan to ruin him. "I know that is not enough. So, treat it as a part of my apology and a gift because I knew you like those things." "What's the point of apologizing?" "Is it wrong to want to be on good terms with you?" he said. "Does Minty know about this?" I touched the necklace before seductively glancing at him. "I'm just trying to make up for how I hurt you in the past, Katalina." Cadmus won't ask for forgiveness just to clear his conscience. He's not the type to lower his pride for good intentions. There was more to his eyes than just wanting to be forgiven. I could throw his gift away and tell him off right now. However, he gave me false hope in the past, and I said I would remember the pain and give it back to him. "I wanted to give
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