Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and for patiently waiting for every update. I'm busy with my life outside writing, so I often see your questions too late. I'm sorry about that. Again, thank you and enjoy! xx
PERCIVALThe first time I saw her, she was young, and it was at a party. Despite her age, she acted mature and wise in front of the adults. She received a lot of praise which I thought she deserved.Even at a young age, she was beautiful. Some girls envied her. Fortunately, she was not just beauty and wits; she also knew how to defend herself.I loved watching her from afar. All those boring parties for a kid turned out enjoyable because of her. She was interesting.There came a time when the girls who disliked her embarrassed her in public. It all happened so fast that I couldn't stop it. They ruined her dress by pushing her toward a table with beverages. They laughed at her, and the person she had been glancing at throughout the party—Cadmus, only stood and watched. She remained composed, and I thought, how could she act like that?However, after wiping her dress, she grabbed a drink and deliberately spilled it all over the girls. Then she walked away with her head held high. I foll
"Koen..." I uttered when my brother opened the door."Katalina?" Koen was shocked to see me. But he immediately ushered me inside his house. "What happened?""I uhm..." I bit my bottom lip because it kept quivering. "Can I stay here tonight?"I wasn't sure what I was feeling. Love left me scarred, so I don't know if I want anything to do with it again. I can't let it turn me into someone vulnerable and fragile once more. Whenever I hear the word love, Cadmus always comes to mind. I've come to hate everything that reminded me of him.However, what I had with Percy was different from what I had before. I presumed the lack of romance allowed us to be comfortable with each other. I thought it kept us from hurting each other despite being deeply attached. But it turns out, he had always been in love with me, and I... I might've been forgetting how love ruined me.At some point, I also began to imagine 'the us' that would exist after Cadmus' downfall. I forgot that I was once too confident
Another sigh escaped my lips as I put my phone away. Cadmus apologized for what happened earlier, but I knew he wasn't sorry. He just wanted an excuse to contact me.I felt awful for Percy, but I couldn't change my goals for him.My head was killing me, so I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes. I drifted to sleep with Percy in my head.Just as planned, I went home early in the morning. I didn't want to, but my son was there, and I couldn't avoid Percival for so long.Walking into the kitchen, I found Percival cooking breakfast. Marcus was standing near him. They seem happy together, and I would've smiled if not for what happened last night.Percival froze when he noticed me. He gripped the spatula that he almost dropped before looking away.My son's head turned to me, and I could see his eyes light up."How is he?" I asked Percival.Percival briefly looked at me and swallowed hard before answering, "his fever's gone. You don't have to worry anymore."I nodded and brought my attenti
I walked towards Percival until I could hear their conversation. I wasn't planning to eavesdrop. I wanted my presence to be known. "How many times do I have to ask you to leave?" Percival said with a sigh of irritation. "I'm only concerned for you, Percy," Helena insisted. "If you ever need someone to talk to about this, just let me know." "He already told you to leave," I interrupted. My hand reached for Percy's arm. Helena seemed surprised at first, but her expression quickly changed. She lifted her chin and raised an eyebrow as she stared at me. "Your ex-husband is visiting you quite often," Helena said. "I'm only concerned for Percy." I laughed as I tightened my grip on Percy's arms. "Perhaps you haven't heard that my agency has a small project with Mr. Salazar's company. Those visits were solely business." Helena grinned. Unlike Minty, she kept herself composed. It was harder to read her too. My eyes briefly scanned her body, and my eyebrows shot up. She was wearing a body
I hadn't expected him to show up. Sitting in the car with him after what had happened between us seemed odd. But I ended up joining him. I guess I didn't want people to start talking about our relationship. People would question us if I didn't go with him. "Miss Kat!" Raya called out to me while we were standing beside Percival's car. "Medicine for your headaches, Ma'am. Just in case." I smiled at her and took the small pouch from her hand. "Thank you," I said. "Anytime, Ma'am. There are also pads in there," she whispered. I chuckled, "Thank you. Get home safe with everyone." Raya nodded and left us. When I looked back at Percy, he was only standing behind me. He glanced at me and the pouch before opening the car door. "Thank you," I said as I hopped in. "Do you wanna get some sleep?" he asked, probably because he heard what Raya said. "I'm planning to. It's been a long day." "Let me recline your seat." He was still standing outside. So, he had to bend to recline my seat. "
The beach house meant so much to the old me. I had some of my happiest memories there. But that one night tainted all those memories. The house lost all its meaning, yet it still stood where it always had been. Why should it?In a phone call, I told Cadmus to meet me there. The place where we spent our first night as a married couple. It wouldn't be good for the both of us to be seen having dinner in a fancy restaurant, so I suggested we have the dinner away from the public's eyes. I could hear the excitement in his voice when he agreed, so I should make it worth his while.I started arranging everything. From my schedule--so it wouldn't look suspicious to Percival or anyone who would look into it, down to what I will cook for Cadmus. Yes, I would be cooking. No, there wouldn't be poison in it.Cadmus, like the egoistic bastard that he was, seemed so confident that I would still be wrapped around his finger like I used to be. He knew I adored him since we were little, but being stupid
If I'm being honest, I'd say, 'I'm not sure,' or maybe.' It was a good life, and I loved the husband I thought I knew and would always have by my side. So, of course, though I hate to admit it, there was a time I thought about the good times.I knew they were all lies, and I was the only one who thought it was real. But I was genuinely happy before I found out Cadmus wasn't."Sometimes," I said.Cadmus smirked. He leaned in and rested his hand on my hips. I had almost pushed him away, and he noticed me step back. So, I quickly composed myself and smiled at him. I held his arm and moved past him to free myself from his grasp."I think we both need something stronger," I said as an excuse.My hands were trembling. I was enraged, disgusted, and, most of all, guilty. But this was it. I'll be satisfied after this. Cadmus will finally get what he deserves. After all those years of anger and grief, I could finally give it back to him.I took two bottles of liquor from a cabinet. I knew they'
I held his hand steady before dragging it away from my cheek. Then I drew back and sat on the bed. I stared at the floor, trying to appear as hurt and confused as possible. Cadmus knelt in front of me carefully, trying to get a good look at my face. He looked like he was prepared to console me. Cadmus said cheating on me was a mistake, but here he was, ready to do it again. I wonder if Minty was the only girl he cheated on me with. Or perhaps Minty was the only mistress he got pregnant."I loved having you as my wife, Katalina. If only you told me all this before. That would've melted my anger and frustrations. We would've still been together." He held my elbows and caressed my skin. "Your skin is as soft as ever," he said, smiling.Minty's thoughts must be killing her right now. Why wasn't her husband answering her calls? Where was he? That's what she got for desiring my seat. "But you loved Minty more. . ." I said and pretended to be hurt. "Maybe I should leave. She's the one you
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