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. "
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
We've been married for four years. Four years of trying to be a wife that he will learn to love. Four years and we're still waiting for a child.During the first two years of our marriage, we spent most of our time and attention on the company. When we entered our third year, we tried again but when I didn't conceive, we didn't give much thought to it. After all, we were always busy.However, these past few weeks I noticed how he became distant. I was aware that he doesn't love me as much as I love him, but this time around, I can feel him slipping farther away from me.I'm guessing that he's becoming impatient with waiting for our child, for his heir.My thoughts were interrupted when Cadmus entered the kitchen. He glanced at me before proceeding to the fridge."Cadmus, where are you going?" I asked when I noticed that he was in a suit.I wasn't aware that he's going somewhere today. Does he even plan to tell me?"Business meeting,"
The night was a lot colder than usual. Perhaps it’s because I am sleeping alone in our bed. I did not bother going after Cadmus, even though I was hoping he would return. I fell asleep with the conversation I had with my brother still stuck in my mind. When morning arrived, I felt as if my body hadn't had a chance to rest. I was still tired and wanted to stay in bed. I slowly sat up and looked at the large window beside our bed. The sunshine sips through the curtains, giving light to half of the room. My gaze was drawn to the empty side of the bed, which made my chest tighten. I went to the bathroom to do my usual morning routine. After taking a warm shower, I wore my bathrobe and went to the kitchen for breakfast. I wasn’t in the mood to get dressed yet. I barely ate dinner last night because I kept thinking about Cadmus. When I got to the kitchen, my husband was already there. He was sippin
My face remained blank when I arrived at Salazar Corp. But I was beyond irritated. It was not a surprise that I was already late for the meeting. I didn’t bother attending anymore. I went straight to my office as I waited for Cadmus to be done with it. So, he can finally explain his decision to me.I’m not even aware of the important matters he was talking about; Was it about his family? Why did he not just tell me instead of referring to them as ‘something important’.Is he going to meet up with Minty?I shook my head to dismiss the thought. He said it was important, but I'm pretty sure that girl isn't important enough for him to reschedule the meeting just so he can meet her.My secretary entered my office as I was working on my laptop. I noticed how she avoided making eye contact when I looked at her.“Uhm… Ma’am, the meeting is over,” she informed me.I nodded and stood up. I
"Cadmus..." His name slipped out of my lips when I saw him lying on his stomach beside me. Cadmus already has a white shirt on. He used his arm as a pillow, while his head is facing me.The sides of my lips slightly curved as I ran my fingers over his cheeks. I will hold onto the affections I've received from him last night. I just wish that he would show it more often.My nightgown brushed against my skin as I sauntered toward the window-pane that was hidden behind the thin curtains.My hand reached for the side of the curtain and pulled it to uncover the window. My eyes roamed the landscape before they went back to my husband who was still asleep in our bed. A soft smile crept to my face as I remembered how gentle his touches were.Feeling him touch my bare skin made me realize how much I longed for it. Even my heart has felt the way he caressed every part of me.The worries I had started to wither; At least the fear of losing him and marriage wa
I turned to face the direction of the voice I heard and instantly muttered the person's name."Percival?"He stared at me with a blank expression on his face. His eyes were still the same dark brown ones yet enticing. He had double eyelids, obvious eyelashes, and he will look at you as if you're some inanimate object. Percival also had a chiseled jawline, and his hair was almost always a little messy but brushed back. He had a body that matched his almost perfectly sculpted face. I can see why most women would throw themselves at him even with the cold aura he has."How are you? I won't ask how your company is doing because I already know the answer," I asked in an attempt to avoid an awkward encounter."I see that you're keeping a close eye on my company. I didn't expect anything less from you anyway." He went to my side and leaned his back against the marble railings.I turned around to return to my position earlier."Of course, you entert
"Excuse me." I could feel my heart hammering against my chest as I lifted myself up from my seat.How could he say that?I have never felt more embarrassed. The heaviness I felt was too much to carry; I might even drop to the floor because of it. My mind went blank, and all these unwanted emotions overran my chest as I walked through the hallways.Just like that, the dinner that was supposed to celebrate my success went downhill. With me leaving, it is already as good as over."Katalina."My ears rang when I heard Cadmus' voice. How could he mention my name after making me feel so low? Like I have no value if I can't give him a child. Is that all I am to him? Just a woman that's supposed to give him a child and nothing more? Not a wife or a mother to his children? And when I can't give him one, I have no place in his life?Was that all a woman is made for? To cater to a man's desires and needs?I either stand equal to a
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 y
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