Chapter: Chapter 80 No More CavesETHAN POVNakatayo ako sa gitna ng venue, inaayos ang aking barong habang hinihintay si Aira. Lumapit naman sa akin si Samuel—si Papa Samuel na ngayon."Loko ka, pinatos mo naman anak ko!" aniya kaya napakamot ako sa aking batok habang tumatawa ang mga katabi namin."Ay nako, Samuel, tawag ng damdamin 'yan!" bulalas naman ni Clyde kaya humagalpak ng tawa sina Michael at Zeke."I just love her!" mabilis kong depensa sa sarili ko."Naks! I just love her!" sabay-sabay na ganti at panggagaya nung tatlo kaya matalim akong tumingin sa kanila."Pero maiba ako, pre... anong itatawag mo kay Samuel ngayon? Papa? Tapos kumpare pa rin? HAHAHAHA!"Napahinto ako roon sa tanong ni Clyde. Naisip ko bigla, ano nga ba? Tumingin ako kay Samuel na nakatayo sa harap ko. Seeing him right now, I realized it's definitely better to tease him to break his tough composure."Mano po, Pa!" anas ko rito sabay kuha sa kaniyang kamay para mag-mano, na mabilis naman niyang inilayo habang nanlilisik ang mga mata.Halo
Last Updated: 2026-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 79 The Governor's VowAIRA POVThe months following Ethan’s recovery swept past like a blur of sheer chaos and unexpected grace.Lumipas ang ilang buwan matapos magising si Ethan mula sa koma, at naging napakabilis ng mga pangyayari. "You're leaning too far to the left again," pangingialam ko habang nakasandal sa pinto ng aming home gym, nakakrus ang aking mga braso.Napatigil si Ethan sa gitna ng parallel bars, pinupunasan ang pawis sa kaniyang noo gamit ang likod ng kaniyang braso. Tumingin siya sa akin habang humahabol ng hininga. "Is that a critique from my CEO, or my future wife?" tanong niya sa malalim at nakakahalinang boses habang nakatitig sa akin."It's a critique from the woman who has to walk down the aisle with you in three months," ganti ko habang lumalapit sa kaniya para mag-abot ng tuwalya. "If you limp while we're doing our first dance, I'm telling the press you stepped on my feet."Natawa si Ethan. Sa halip na kunin ang tuwalya, hinawakan niya ang aking baywang at inilapit ako sa kaniya
Last Updated: 2026-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 78 Saving the InnocentAIRA POVIt's been a year since Ninong, I mean Ethan, fell into a coma. I reallt missed him so much.Isang buong taon na ang lumipas mula nang magiba ang kweba sa Isla Chico, mula nang dinala niya ako nang ligtas sa ospital habang ang sarili niyang katawan ay punong-puno ng sugat at nawalan ng napakaraming dugo. Isang taon na siyang nakatali sa mga makina, walang malay, at patuloy na lumalaban para sa kaniyang buhay.Kahit hindi pa gising si Ethan, Tita Sally and my parents decided to let me and Ethan be together. Tanggap na ng magkabilang pamilya ang aming relasyon. Wala na ang mga dating alinlangan, wala na ang mga dating pagbabawal. Ang tanging natitira na lamang ay ang aming pag-asa na balang araw ay imumulat niya muli ang kaniyang mga mata."Come in!" I said while my attention was still on the screen of my laptop inside Ethan's executive office.I am always like this. Isinubsob ko ang sarili ko sa trabaho sa araw para patakbuhin at protektahan ang Gomez Corporation, and I spend a
Last Updated: 2026-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 77 In Ethan's Absence AIRA POVI woke up facing a stark white ceiling. The overwhelming, sharp scent of medicine soaked into my nose, invading my senses and bringing a wave of lightheadedness. I blinked repeatedly, trying to clear the blur in my vision as the rhythmic, steady beep of a heart monitor filled the quiet room."You're awake, my daughter!"Si Mama.I turned my head slowly toward the voice. Namumula ang kaniyang mga mata at ilong, clearly swollen from hours of nonstop crying. Her hair was a bit disheveled, and she looked exhausted, yet a massive wave of relief washed over her pale face the moment our eyes met."Tama na po. Ang pangit niyo na!" bulalas ko rito, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere in the room.Napaigik ako nang bigla nitong kurutin ang tagiliran ko, though she was careful enough not to hit any of my bandaged wounds."Nandiyan ka na nga, ganyan ka pa!" reklamo niya, pilit na nagtatapang-tapangan habang pinupunasan ang mg
Last Updated: 2026-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 76 A Blood and VowsAIRA POVHapo-hapo ang dibdib ko at halos hindi na makahinga nang makalabas kami sa masukal na kagubatan. My legs trembled, my lungs burned, but every step felt lighter knowing we were finally away from their reach. Bumungad naman sa amin ang baybayin—puting buhangin, malalaking alon na humahampas nang mahina, at sa di-kalayuan ay may nakahintang speedboat na umaandar na ang makina. Wait, some thing's off.Yun siguro ang ginamit ni Ninong para puntahan ako. Pero bakit nakaandar na? May ibang tao bang nandito maliban sa aming dalawa?“Go, hop in!” Ani Ninong habang nakatingin pa rin sa gubat, handang sumugod anumang oras. His hand rested firmly on the gun at his hip, eyes scanning every shadow behind us.Halos manlamig ang buong pagkatao ko nang marinig ang boses na iyon—malamig, puno ng pangungutya, at kilalang-kilala ko.“And where do you think you’re going?”Napatingala ako. Nasa itaas lamang namin ang helicopter na lumilipad nang mababa. At doon, nakatingin sa amin nang may nakakak
Last Updated: 2026-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 75 Redemption inside the CaveAIRA POVI felt something warm on my hand.Isang malambot at pamilyar na init na dahan-dahang humahaplos sa nanginginig kong balat. Paano nangyari 'to? Am I not dead? Dahan-dahan kong iginalaw ang aking katawan at ibinaba ang tingin. I look at the wound of mine, nakabenda na at yung dalawang bala ay nasa isang tela na nakalapag sa patag na bato sa tabi ko. "Gigi..." I uttered in a weak, raspy whisper, calling for the girl who helped me hide earlier.But instead of Gigi, a man's scent approached me. Isang amoy na kahit nakapikit ako ay kilalang-kilala ng puso ko."Gising ka na. May masakit ba sayo?" Aniya. Kumukurap-kurap ang mga mata ko habang nakatitig sa kaniya. Hindi ako nanaginip? Si Ninong talaga ang nasa harap ko. "Ninong..." pabulong na tawag ko sa kaniya, halos hindi makapaniwala na hawak niya ang aking mukha.He came closer and kissed me deeper.Ang kaniyang mga labi ay lumapat sa akin—mainit, marahas, ngunit puno ng matinding pangungulila. Para bang sa pamamagitan ng hal
Last Updated: 2026-09-04
Chapter: KABANATA 49 Until He RememberELARIS POVPalinga-linga ako sa paligid. There's no one around.Nagdadalawang-isip man, pinili ko pa ring tumalon sa pangpang para saklolohan ang lalaking aanod-anod sa tubig.Hirap na hirap akong inabot siya at kailangang maiahon sa pampang. I don't know if he's dead already or not."Elaris!" sigaw ni Magdalena nang matanaw ako, habang buhat-buhat ang anak kong si Jake. Calling someone in the phone."Mama."Habol ang hininga akong napaupo sa basang buhangin. Tamang-tamang pagdating naman ni Valerie kasama ang iba pang mga rescuer."Who is he?" tanong ni Valerie habang isinasampay ang tuwalya sa balikat ko at inalalayan akong tumayo.I shrugged my head. Hindi ko pa masyadong malinaw na nakita ang mukha ng estranghero dahil sa dilim at pagod.Dumeritso agad kami sa clinic. Napakatsamba namang may mga doktor na naroroon para sa isang medical study kasama si Valerie, kaya nabigyan agad ng kailangang unang lunas ang lalaki."Elaris, what you did is a good merit, but next time, huwag kang
Last Updated: 2026-10-22
Chapter: KABANATA 48 Echoes of the PastELARIS POVAng daling lumaki ni Jake, at masasabi ko na habang lumalaki siya, para akong tumitingin sa aking nakaraan. Every time he flashes that wide, gap-toothed grin, it's like a miniature version of him is staring in me."Hindi naman mapipigtas 'yang ngiti ng nanay habang nakatingin sa anak niyang grabe kung humahalakhak," tukso ni Cataliya habang bitbit ang isang mabigat na comforter papasok ng sala.I roll my eyes. "Che.""Huwag kang ano dyan, te, ganyan na ganyan din si Mama dati," aniya, tawang-tawa pa habang inilalapag ang dala.Napasinghap naman siya nang biglang batukan sa batok ni Tiya Sally, na nagmula pala sa likuran namin. Masama ang tingin nito kay Cataliya."Sige, ikwento mo pa.""Ma naman... masakit kaya!" angal niya habang hinihimas ang ulo at medyo sumimangot kay Tiya Sally.Aaminin kong maganda at payapa ang pamumuhay namin dito, pero gabi-gabi, hindi nawawala sa isip ko sina Mama at Claire. Kung kumusta na kaya sila? Are they safe? Nag-aalala pa kaya sila sa akin
Last Updated: 2026-10-10
Chapter: KABANATA 47: ExplosionDAMIAN POV Napahilot nalang ako ng sentido matapos kong makita na ang dami ko pang dapat pirmahan na mga papel.My gaze shifted outside the window, looking at the same spot where I saw someone watching us. Wala na ito.Alam ko naman sa sarili ko kung sino ang nagmamanman sa akin. Hindi ko na maipagkakaila na maraming gustong dispatyahin ako.Isang katok sa pinto ang bumuhay sa aking isipan. It's Levi."Napasugod ka?" bungad ko sa kaniya.He opened the door wide at tuluyang pumasok.He leaned on the couch not too far from where I am."According to Spencer, those people na laging nakabuntot sa 'yo ay mga galamay ng Shadow Feast Gang." Levi scrolled through the tablet in his hand at nagpatuloy, "Also, we already located their main hideout."Napatango nalang ako habang nakikinig kay Levi.Shadow Feast Gang is nothing to me, but I need to erase them in history so I can focus on finding Elaris."Levi, contact Mark and Yrron. May lakad tayo mamayang gabi."Napangisi naman ito nang malaki."
Last Updated: 2026-09-25
Chapter: KABANATA 46: Their AimI felt that my eyes were swallowing. Damian is sitting on the couch silently pero alam kong nararamdaman niya ang presensya ko. As respect to him, sa pagpapatuloy niya sa amin sa bahay niya. "Damian." agaw-pansin ko rito He just look at me silently but filled with worries. I let a heavy signed out on me tsaka humakbang papalapit sa kinaroroonan niya. "I just want to thank you for everything you've done. Ang laki ng utang na loob ko sayo. "Umiling ito bago ako binigyan ng ngiting may kulay, "I just did what makes me happy, Tita. Besides, hindi ko kayo maaring pabayaan kasi pamilya kayo ni Elaris." This isn't Damian Vossryn I know. Ibang-iba sya sa dati. "And thank you for that. Maliban dun, may isang bagay pa akong sasabihin sayo," sabi ko rito bago umupo sa katapat na couch nito. "Aalis muna kami nila Selene. For sake of Claire. I know, alam mo na ang kalagayan ni Claire, Iho! " He noddded at binaling ang tingin sa labas ng balcony. "Much better, Tita, " anito at muling tumin
Last Updated: 2026-01-17
Chapter: KABANATA 45: Missing herNakatayo ako sa gitna ng hardin, ang mga mata ko ay nakatitig sa mga bulaklak na namumukadkad sa ilalim ng liwanag ng buwan. Ang hangin ay may kaunting lamig, ang mga dahon ng mga puno ay nag-uusap sa isa't isa. Ang amoy ng mga bulaklak ay bumabalot sa akin, ang mga alaala ng mga nangyari sa hardin na ito ay bumalik sa akin.Naaalala ko pa ang mga araw na kasama ko si Elaris dito, ang mga halakhak namin, ang mga yakap namin, ang mga pag-usap namin. Ang mga alaala na ito ay tumutunog sa aking isip. Biglang, nakita ko siya. Ang hinahanap ko sa buong maghapon. Si Claire. Nakatayo siya sa gilid ng hardin, ang mga mata niya ay nakatitig sa kawalan. Ang mga ilaw ng buwan ay nagbibigay ng isang makulay na liwanag sa kanya, ang mga anino ay nagbabago sa kanyang mukha.Nagtungo ako sa kanya, ang mga mata ko ay nakatitig sa kanya. Ang mga dahon ng mga puno ay nag-uusap sa isa't isa, ang mga bulaklak ay namumukadkad sa ilalim ng liwanag ng buwan."Claire," sabi ko, ang boses ko ay mahina.Ang
Last Updated: 2026-01-14
Chapter: KABANATA 44: WastedUmuwi ako sa mansion ng magulang ko, akay-akay ako ni Caleb dahil hindi ko na magawang maglakad ng maayos. Ang mga mata ko ay malabo, ang isip ko ay puno ng mga alaala ng kalasingan at paghihiganti. Ang amoy ng alak at sigarilyo ay bumabalot sa akin, ang mga boses ng mga tao sa club ay tumutunog pa rin sa mga tenga ko."Damian, okay ka lang?" tanong ni Caleb, ang boses niya ay may kaunting pag-aalala.Hindi ako sumagot. Hindi ko alam kung paano sasabihin ang mga salitang gusto kong sabihin. Ang mga alaala ng nakaraan ay bumalik sa akin, ang mga alaala, ang pagdurusa, at ang paghihiganti.Nakita ko ang mansion ng magulang ko, ang lugar na dating tahanan ko. "Damian, nandito na tayo," sabi ni Caleb, ang boses niya ay may kaunting pag-aalala.Tumigil ako sa paglakad, ang mga mata ko ay nakatitig sa mansion. "Anong nangyari sa akin?" tanong ko, ang boses ko ay mahina."Ikaw ay lasing, Damian," sabi ni Caleb, ang boses niya ay may kaunting pag-aalala. "Pero okay ka na ngayon. Nandito na
Last Updated: 2026-01-13
Chapter: Chapter 8 Behind the Cold WallsI didn’t give a damn about that letter that slipped and fell onto the floor, even when a strange, uneasy feeling pricked sharply at my chest. But tell me honestly—does a piece of paper truly matter more than the throbbing ache and soreness still lingering deep within my body?Exhaustion finally dragged me under. I curled up on the edge of the bed, shivering against the cold sheets, and only woke when my stomach gave a loud, empty rumble. Dawn had already broken, spilling pale gray light through the windows. The air remained thick, suffocating, heavy with unspoken anger—the same tension that had filled this room since the moment I stepped inside.I pushed myself up slowly, wincing as soreness shot through me, and reached for the things scattered across the floor—small gifts Ethan had given to him with such warmth, things Nicholas had snatched away and hurled aside as if they were nothing more than trash.“What are you trying to do?”His voice cut through the silence like shards of ice
Last Updated: 2026-08-10
Chapter: CHAPTER 7 Bound by HatredI was about to step inside Nicholas’s room, carrying a heavy tray filled with his meals, when I suddenly heard voices coming from within. Someone was crying. A woman’s voice. And shortly after, I realized—it was Mrs. Santiago, begging her son. "Please, my son… You are the only one who can secure our company. Please…" she sobbed, her voice breaking in desperation. Nicholas just stared back at his mother, his eyes cold and void of any emotion. I stood there, listening. Until when will he stay this way? I wondered. Until when will he keep being this cold, ruthless, and unfeeling? Not a single word escaped Nicholas’s lips. Watching the scene unfold from the crack of the door, it looked as though his own mother was nothing more than a stranger, or worse, a complete nobody in his life. "What else can I do for you? Tell me… what must I do to make you save the company?" Mrs. Santiago asked again, still on her knees, humbling herself before him. I gasped sharply, covering my mouth w
Last Updated: 2026-05-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 6 Deceit Behind the CurtainSomeone pushed the heavy wooden door open and stepped inside. Immediately, Nicholas caught my eye and signaled sharply with his hand, motioning for me to hide behind the long, heavy velvet curtains. I moved quickly and silently, pressing myself flat against the wall, concealed by the thick fabric.The man who entered walked slowly toward Nicholas’s wheelchair, his steps confident yet dripping with disdain. He stopped just a few feet away, looking down with a twisted smirk.“What a useless heir… Crippled and broken, left only to wait for death.”That voice. That tone. I knew exactly who it belonged to—it was Ethan, Nicholas’s half-brother.I stayed perfectly still in my hiding spot, watching through the small gap in the drapes. Ethan began to pace around the room, hands behind his back, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as if he had already claimed victory.“I honestly don’t understand why Father always favored you above everyone else,” he said, his voice laced with lingering envy
Last Updated: 2026-05-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 5: Monster's ObssessionHer plan, whatever it was, seemed to work. I heard footsteps, slow and deliberate, approaching my room. The chilling sound of polished steel glinting against the air reached my ears—they were armed men, their weapons capable of ending a life in an instant. The steps grew closer, closer, until it was clear they were right outside my door. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. This is it, I thought, bracing myself.Suddenly, a loud, heavy thud echoed through the silence, as if someone had been knocked down hard. A low groan, unmistakably a woman's, tore through the air, forcing my eyes wide open. My breath hitched. There she was, lying helpless on the floor just outside my room. Cristine.The two men who had come to kill me immediately turned their attention to her, as if she was nothing more than an inconvenient obstacle in their path. Rage surged through me, swift and hot. How foolish she was—to risk her life like this for someone like me, for someone wh
Last Updated: 2026-05-19
Chapter: CHAPTER 4: Shadows and SnaresI kept walking, my pace steady and unhurried, a soft, meaningless hum slipping past my lips as if I had not a single care in the world. My eyes darted nowhere, my head turned at no sudden noise, and my posture remained relaxed—completely unaware, or so I wanted the watcher to believe. But beneath that calm surface, every nerve in my body was stretched tight as a wire. I knew they were there; I could feel the weight of their gaze heavy on my back, burning into me from some hidden corner of the hallway. Whoever was watching was clever, but I was cleverer. I would not let them know I had already sensed their presence. I stayed alert, memorizing every shadow, every door, every possible escape route, until I finally reached the safety of the kitchen.Mrs. Santiago was there, standing by the marble counter with a plate of butter cookies in hand, nibbling on one casually as she stared out the window. She turned her head when she heard my footsteps, a knowing smile touching her lips.“Ah, Cri
Last Updated: 2026-05-14
Chapter: CHAPTER 3: The Hidden EdgeThe heavy mahogany doors of Mr. Santiago’s private study clicked shut behind us, sealing us inside a space that smelled of old books, expensive cigars, and quiet authority. The room was grand and intimidating, lined with shelves filled with leather-bound books and decorated with expensive artifacts, yet right now, it felt less like an office and more like a battlefield command center.Mr. Sullivan Santiago walked to his large desk and sat down, his posture straight and imposing, while Mrs. Celestine Santiago motioned for me to take the single chair placed opposite them. My hands were clasped tightly in my lap, my heart still racing from the incident earlier—the poison, the accusation, the brutal grip around my neck. I sat on the edge of the seat, eyes lowered, waiting for them to speak.Mrs. Santiago leaned forward slightly, her elegant features serious and sharp. She studied me for a moment before breaking the silence.“You must be wondering,” she began, her voice calm but carrying a
Last Updated: 2026-05-14
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