I didn't bother telling Percy about Helena and decided to talk to her myself. My secretary guided me to where our little uninvited guest was. Showing up here already had too much audacity, but she went even further by wearing a red coat. I sneered, tilting the side of my lips. This girl seemed sophisticated. She was fairly beautiful and successful, but she's showing no class. I've let her antics slide because Percival didn't tolerate or entertain them. I thought it would end there, but I guess Percival wasn't someone you could give up easily. I thought she'd have more decency, but hearts can be quite stubborn. I wasn't sure why she decided to show up. It was already too late to stop the wedding, but I did hope this was her way of closure. "What's the problem here?" I asked the guards as I approached them. "I asked for Percival because I didn't want to bother the bride." Helena carried herself boldly as she spoke to me. She tugged her straight black hair behind her ear and gave m
"You have to behave yourself, Percival. My father's watching you," I said, even though my dad was busy talking to his friends.Percival chuckled and kissed my cheek. He looked at me playfully as he raised our arms, and a giggle left my lips as I twirled. It brought me back to when we were young, and it felt like nothing had passed since then. The night was still young, and the guests seemed to enjoy themselves. I danced with my father after my first dance with Percy. Koen, who used to be my dance partner when we were little, also danced with me tonight. My heart was warmed by the presence of our friends and families, but it was yet to feel complete. By the time I was in Percival's arms again, I already felt tired from all the dancing. We were walking back to our seats when he leaned toward my ear."Wanna ditch the party? Marcus and I might've prepared something for you at home," he whispered."What about dad and your grandfather?" I asked, but my eyes were already glowing with excit
"Did they say why she's here?" I asked, feeling reluctant to let him go. Percival walked me to the kitchen before he answered my question."They said she needed to talk to me. She claims it's important," Percy sighed. "I've been avoiding her. She tried to talk to me and schedule appointments, but I blocked it all out. Should I have spoken to her then?""Is there a history I should be aware of?" I asked. "You told me not to worry, and I'm not. But I want to know why she's doing all this? Especially on our wedding day."Something about Helena made me feel uncomfortable, and it wasn't just her blatant ways of letting me know she wanted my man. I guess it was how she made her motives visible to me but not to other people. She knew what she was doing, and it was hard to know what she was thinking. "Back then, she was in the middle of an arranged marriage. But unlike you, her parents didn't give her a choice. We bumped into each other, and she was drunk on a high-rise building's rooftop.
"You might think you know me, but you don't." Percival's glare would make anyone shudder, but Helena stood her ground. She was determined to do what she came here for. "You know nothing about us. So, get a damn grip."Percival's voice sounded deep and threatening. His patience appeared to be wearing thin. As if he was only a few more exchanges away from walking out on her and placing a restraining order.Helena's back was turned against me, so I couldn't see her expression. But I saw how her shoulders shook as if she just scoffed. I didn't know if I should feel bad for her or be pissed after she used her hand on Percy."But I know that she left you and chose someone else. I'm not like you, Percival. I won't stand by and wait for her to hurt you."What she said struck something inside me, and my gaze fell to the floor. I did feel unworthy of all the love that Percival had offered me, but I wanted him anyway. There was nothing I could do about the past. There were things I didn't know t
Waking up to Percival wasn't anything new, but waking up to him with my bareness still pressed against his was. My hand cautiously reached for his face, caressing it and smiling at myself. Even though I was careful not to wake him up, I saw how the corner of his lips curled slightly. The arms that cradled me enclosed me tighter into his body. I rested my head on his hard chest when he didn't open his eyes. He must've been tired after staying true to his words about how he'd keep me up all night. I didn't even plan on falling asleep. I just did."I love you," his baritone voice mumbled, eyes still shut. I didn't know what was more difficult for him. . . to keep those three words bottled up, concealed, locked away for several years, or to finally say it only for me to refuse him. But everything that happened led us to this slow and warm morning together. "I love you," I whispered and swore I would always say it back. My hand hovered on his face to shield it from the ray of sunlight
I looked around, trying to grasp what had happened. What had led to this? Eyes searching for the threat. For the danger that caused this. Because I had come to get used to people destroying the things I wanted to protect. But there was no one. Instead, I found Linda crying in terror while cradled in the headmaid's arms. She was screaming. Apologizing. Only now that I was looking at her did I realize I had gone deaf to our surroundings. "What happened?" I, once again, asked, not as their boss but as Marcus' mother. My lips trembled, and my brows caved in. "H-he ran off. F-fell. I'm s-sorry. I didn't think he'd do that. I'm sorry! I took my eyes off him for one second. Is he okay?" I looked up the stairs and felt nauseous at the height of it. The small gate we attached there hung open, and I mentally shouted at myself for not replacing it when I knew that Marcus already knew how to open it. Of course, Linda wouldn't think my son would just run off. He was well-behaved. It must've be
I was prepared to order a media blackout. How wide? I wasn't sure yet. But I do know how quick people were to judge. How destructive their curiosities could be. They would assume, mock, and gossip about my son. I could already guess what they would say. Out of Wedlock. Abandoned. Maybe they'd even think he was adopted. Marcus would have the whole world talk about him the way they did to me when they found out about the annulment and the claim about my fertility. If only I had chosen a better man or made better choices, he wouldn't be in this situation. I knew I couldn't shield him forever, but this time, I wanted to do everything I could to make the world and future kinder to him. Even if I had to step away from the limelight and everything I love. I focused all my energy on getting to Marcus first and left the situation at Crescent to Koen. I also asked Grace to head to our house and send me the CCTV footage of the incident. I didn't want to see it, but my mind wouldn't give it a re
It was hard to see our child getting involved in an accident. But knowing that it wasn't, and someone out there had harmed him without us knowing, made my stomach churn. I was shaking as I opened the file that Grace sent me. A tear fell from my eyes as I watched Marcus fall and roll down the stairs. Every bone in my body trembled. But it wasn't anger. It was worse than that. It was betrayal. Percival took the phone from me. Anger and hurt were now visible on his face. His eyebrows were furrowed, his breathing ragged, and veins were popping out of his knuckles. The very person we trusted to help raise our son with us. The person I thought would be around Marcus as he grew older was the person that would put him in harm's way. I couldn't believe it. Marcus was sprinting down the corridor, holding a piece of paper. Linda followed closely behind him, and he'd look back at her to see if she was still there. But stopped glancing as he stood at the head of the staircase. Marcus was too f
Seven months later. I swore to protect Katalina and Marcus from any harm. It was a promise I'd honor until my last breath, so I kept everyone who tried under tight surveillance. Helena was still rotting in jail. I didn't need to keep an eye on Cadmus because the media had it covered for me. His divorce from Minty completely diverted the public's eyes away from Marcus. Everyone was in check. Except I didn't feel completely at ease yet. Helena's insistence that someone else wanted my wife dead, that whoever it was hated Tali more than she did, stayed in my mind for months. But I didn't want to let it linger, so I had Andrew look into it.It could've been empty threats, but I knew how Helena worked. She kept pawns. She'd poison people's minds and use them against her enemies. Everyone told me that Helena probably meant Natalie and that the last stunt Natalie pulled was the end of it. But it wouldn't hurt to be safe, especially when I think I knew who Helena meant. "I can see the gears
Percival held my hand, his stance protective and impatient to get us out. If the bodyguards wouldn't scare Natalie away, Percival's hardened expression would. The way the veins popped out told me he was frustrated he couldn't deal with Natalie himself."Don't let her get away," Percival said. A few guards left to help search for Natalie, while enough stayed to keep us surrounded. "We'll catch her this time," I said, hoping to ease some of the tension radiating from him. But even as he nodded, I knew it didn't help much. "Of course, we will. Your cousin isn't very bright," he said, his jaw clenching. The crowd was contained at some part of the venue, so the hallways weren't littered with the media. We reached the parking lot. They checked the car before Percival opened the backseat for me. "Get in," he said, his voice authoritative. I quickly hopped in, scooting over to give space for him. Our actions were fast and efficient, and we were on the road in a heartbeat. Percival didn'
Percival's hand pressed against the small of my back, his head tilted towards me, studying me as I read the article."It's from an anonymous account. Chester is working on taking it down," he said. "What do you want to do? Aside from destroying whoever posted this because I'm already on it.""It's time," I said, giving his phone back to him. "There's no need to fuss. I'll schedule an interview tomorrow."Percival pocketed the phone. He turned me towards him, thumbs caressing my forearms."So soon?" he asked, voice laced with concern. He craned his neck, discerning my expression."I've been doing this my whole life, Percy," I said, giving him a reassuring smile. "I just... there were just things in my life that I didn't want people to touch. But I kept the most human parts of me hidden, and I shouldn't have to. I'm no longer afraid of how they'll perceive me after. This has to end now."****Percival and I made arrangements for tomorrow when we returned to our hotel room. I read the ar
Dad almost died. He was in a cardiac arrest while we were away. The doctors said he was stable for now, but they didn't know how long. I stood motionless in Percival's arm, his hand stroking my back, the other cradling my head. We had done everything, and I was running out of ideas. Maybe the only option left was to grieve, even if it didn't sit right with me. Percival offered his quiet support, knowing nothing could be said to make this better, but allowing me to know he was there for me. But our little bubble of silence broke when Andrew appeared with a look of urgency."Your brother's awake."My lips parted, and Percival's grip around me loosened. Without wasting any more time, we strode to my brother's room. I held my breath until I finally saw Koen. . . awake and smiling at me.There he was. The only person who would carry this grief with me. I gave him a faint smile as I walked to his bed, settling on the seat beside it."How are you?" I asked gently."Alive," he huffed out. "
"Is that so?" I asked. "You have no idea how deep you are in the mud right now, do you? Your parents begged us to spare your company--not you, just your company. Your people were so easily bought because their loyalty came with a price."I wasn't sure if she was bluffing or trying to salvage what little pride she had left. But anything she says wouldn't change her fate. There was no life for her outside the bars anymore--not that I'd ever let her out. The amusement on Helena's face slowly died. Her lips formed a thin line as she glared at me. I raised my eyebrows at the change in her demeanor. I guess what I said was new information to her."I never needed them anyway," she mumbled. I didn't think she intended for me to hear that. "But you... how will you survive now that your parents are gone?""My parents are always with me, even when I lose my way or when we're apart. They actually raised me with love and warmth, and I'd say it's a pity you don't have those. But you had plenty of
The officer sat uncomfortably behind his desk, seeming uneasy and intimidated. It was probably due to the office being quite small for five people. There were only two available seats in the room, and my husband and I occupied them. Our lawyer and Andrew were standing behind Percy. They told us that they found Helena while she was trying to board a ship bound for an island far from the capital. Natalie wasn't with her. But we already had a list of places where she could be hiding. Someone knocked on the door, and the officer immediately got up. I smiled as a familiar face came into the room. It was my father's friend and the chief."Katalina, it's nice to see you again. Although, I much prefer to meet you for a different reason," he said with a look of pity. It had been a while since I last saw him, but he had been my father's friend even before my brother and I were born. He and his wife didn't have children, so they often visited us when we were younger. "Vincent, thank you for yo
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