Wendy had already arrived in Kleeton City the day prior, and she was currently having dinner at the dining table and discussing pressing matters with her ally, Lillian Lopez. "Have you sent out the warning?" Wendy inquired, taking a few sips from her glass as Lillian made to reply. She nodded curtly. "I already did. I just hope she would heed my advice and leave Hayley alone. I heard she's as stubborn as a goat, and given she hates Hayley more than anything, I'm worried she might not be convinced." Lily replied, referring to Adrian's sister, Cassidy. Wendy chuckled at her remark heartily, shaking her head in amusement as she gazed at Lillian. "Oh, Lily. How it feels to work with you again after so many years. Well done..." She rolled her eyes in a sass manner, cutting her steak as she replied curtly. "I am not enjoying any of this, Wendy. Can we get this over with already and return home? This place isn't for me at all and I miss my son." Wendy pouted. "Come on, Lily, there's no n
**Thirty-three years ago**It was a radiant and sunny day, the perfect backdrop for the occasion that was about to take place in the next two hours. A mix of excitement and anxiety filled the air as the young woman stood before the dressing mirror, preparing for the day she had long envisioned. It was the day she'd been dreaming of for a while now. She had given up everything just to make this a success, including sacrificing her family's inheritance just so she could marry the man she was in love with. Despite her parents' vehement objections to the marriage, Wendy Salvador remained resolute in her decision, unwilling to heed their warnings.Having been raised to follow her heart, Wendy was determined to pursue her desires, regardless of the sacrifices she had made along the way. For her, it was all worthwhile for her fiancé, Owen McKenna. At just twenty-five years old, Wendy had set aside her own aspirations for a love she deeply believed in. A man she was hellbent on marrying. His
The moment had arrived for the couple to make their entrance down the aisle. With no parents present to accompany her, Elsa took it upon herself to escort Wendy to the altar after Wendy's pleas. Though Elsa still believed the whole thing was ridiculous, she didn't want to abandon her friend on her special day. As they walked arm in arm, the attention of the entire assembly shifted to them, causing a wave of anxiety to churn in Wendy's stomach. She had not anticipated such a large crowd when she extended the invitations. Though her gaze remained fixed ahead, she could sense the scrutinizing stares of her rivals, Thelma and Kristine, who watched her with disbelief and disdain, unable to believe that she was about to marry one of Clasold City's most eligible and attractive millionaire bachelors, Owen McKenna. McKenna was the man of many ladies' dreams, and Wendy couldn't contain her joy that she was the one getting married to him. Wendy's external expression exuded happiness and excitem
"Face it, Wendy. It's over. I warned you from the start. I knew this was going to happen," Elsa snapped as Wendy prepared to leave for Owen's.Without sparing her a glance, Wendy shook her head vehemently, her face flooded with tears as she replied. "No, no, it's not. It can't be.""Wendy, please listen to me. What the hell has come over you?" Elsa bit out in frustration, rising from her bed and making her way towards Wendy, who remained focused as she searched for the right outfit in her closet.Though tears had blurred her vision and she could barely grasp anything, Wendy wanted to believe she was fine."Wendy, come on," Elsa implored as she stood beside her. When she got no response from Wendy, she tried tapping her gently for her attention but that was when Wendy lost her cool."Leave me alone!" Wendy exclaimed, startling Elsa as she staggered back in bewilderment. Breathing heavily, Wendy turned to face her. "Don't touch me, this is all your fault." She sobbed.Her words pulled E
"I had been so humiliated that night," Wendy recounted as she reeled back from flashback. "I had no idea that one of the... I mean two of my adversaries had followed me that night to Owen's place.""What?" Lillian gasped in shock."Yeah. They recorded everything that transpired that night and also uploaded it on the Internet, branding me as 'A desperate and deranged bride'." Wendy swallowed, her jaws clenching tight as she added. "I begged Owen to help me rectify everything. With his influence and connections, he had the power to remove those posts if he wanted to. But he declined my request. He told me..." Wendy hesitated, taking a shaky breath."He told you what, Wendy?" Lillian implored, eager to sate her curiosity.Wendy swallowed hard before continuing. "He told me that was my punishment for my foolish actions. He said that to me. He also told me he never wanted to see me around him again. He threatened me,""My gosh, how could he be so heartless? I know what you did was wrong,
Hayley felt a wave of emotions wash over her as she gazed at the stunning diamond necklace in her hands, recalling the moment Adrian had gifted it to her as a token of his appreciation for her presence in his life. A tear slipped down her cheek as she remembered her promise to Adrian to always wear the jewelry. Yet, the thought of doing so felt impossible after everything that had transpired, especially with Adrian still in a coma.Although Hayley was supposed filled with elation as it was finally time for her to depart for the artists' program, joy eluded her. This wasn't the way she had envisioned her departure to be. Adrian was supposed to be the one who drove her to the airport and bid her goodbye, but now such dreams lay in ruins for Hayley as Adrian was still lying in the hospital, motionless and battling for his life.With a heavy heart, Hayley sank onto her bed, pressing the necklace gently against her chest. Tears streamed down her face as she closed her eyes, replaying her l
'Dear mi reina. I'll probably be on my way to the airport by the time you read this. I just wanted to use this means to apologize once again. I'm sorry I couldn't be there with you to say my goodbyes, and it hurts me deeply. I hold onto the hope that one day you'll finally forgive me and allow me back into your life because right now, I really don't know what I am if not a lost cause. I miss and need you back, mi reina. I long to hold you in my arms again. Until that day comes, I remain your biggest supporter. I love you more than Romeo loved Juliet. Please, take care of yourself, baby. I'm cheering you on! Fighting!Love~ Leonardo.'Hayley's heart surged with emotions as her eyes skimmed through the handwritten note from Leonardo. She couldn't stop her heart from melting at heartfelt words, and the blush that crept to her cheeks as her eyes returned to the part where Leonardo had emphasized his feelings for her. For a brief moment, her heart stuffed, and tears leaked from her eyes as
By the time Hayley arrived at the airport in Puwak City, it was nearly 4 pm. She exhaled heavily as she disembarked from the plane, taking a moment to savor the refreshing air of the City she had just arrived in. The city that would be her home for the next two weeks. Glancing around with a subtle smile etched on her face, Hayley began heading towards the terminal where one of the program's attendants awaited her. She was approaching the crowd-filled room in elegant strides when her phone suddenly beeped, disrupting her attention. Hayley stood for a second, retrieving the device from her bag only to see it was a message notification. She felt a pang in her heart, her brows furrowing as she quickly opened the message. It was a text from Leonardo which read; 'Safe flight, baby. By the time you return, my proof of my divorce from Lillian will be waiting. Till then, I'm still rooting for you~~ Leonardo.' Upon reading the text, Hayley couldn't suppress the scoff that followed. "What