Meanwhile, Claire was rushing up the building to talk to her son, Zayne, ignoring the sticky gazes of the people she passed—especially since her differently colored eyes made her unrecognizable to the employees there. “Zayne!” she called as soon as she opened the door, but she was shocked to find not only Zayne there but also Camille. “Oh, you didn’t tell me this was a reunion,” Camille said with a laugh, standing in the middle of the room while Zayne was at the far end, behind Zekiel’s chair, crying—which immediately made Claire serious. “What are you doing to my child?!” Claire demanded sharply, causing Camille to clap mockingly. “Wow, it’s true! Just admit it to them, Claire Sanchez.” Camille walked closer to Zayne, making Claire panic. “Don’t you dare go near my son!” Claire was about to run toward them when she froze—Camille suddenly turned to face her, holding a knife pointed directly at her, terrifying Zayne. “M-Mommy…” Claire glanced at her son, desperate to reac
ZEKIEL It felt like my world stopped the moment I realized Camille was there, holding a knife pointed at Claire. When I saw Claire crying in Camille’s grasp, I desperately wanted to rush over, push that woman away from the one I love—but I couldn’t. Not when Claire’s life was at stake. When Claire fainted, I seized the chance to pull Camille away. As much as I worried for Claire, getting that woman away from her was more urgent—otherwise, things could get worse. I glanced at Claire after I managed to grab the knife and shove Camille back. I immediately ran to Claire and lifted her into my arms. “Hero, handle her. Mom, Dad—Zayne, please.” They nodded at my words, and I bolted out of the office. “Where are you taking her?! You can’t marry her!” I froze when I saw Philip—Camille’s father—along with other board members blocking the way. “I will kill you!” I snarled, making them flinch. “Look at what your daughter did to Claire!” Shock crossed his face at my words, and I sensed
“I’m not mad, Daddy. I’m actually happy. I really wanted to hug Mommy earlier, but I couldn’t because of Camille.” I couldn’t help but cry at his words. I immediately hugged him tightly, and he hugged me back just as fiercely. “Thank you, son. Thank you for accepting your Mommy.” After our embrace, I entrusted my son to Mommy so she could watch over him, then I approached Daddy to talk. “I know you already understand why I’m talking to you, Kiel,” Daddy said seriously, making me nod in response. “You know our world, Kiel. Zayne. I know you get it—Camille went to Zayne, not Claire. Why do you think that is? What do you think her goal is?” I clenched my fists again at his words. He was right, but I had no idea why Camille did that. We needed to be careful and keep an eye on the Hernandezes. “Son, there are too many of you now, especially with Claire pregnant. I don’t want to lose any of you, Kiel. We’re one family.” A sudden wave of anxiety hit me at Daddy’s words. I cou
“K-Kuya Clark,” So his name is Clark. They really are siblings. “Claire, how are you feeling? Are you okay now?” I froze when I saw the concern on his face, especially since it was so obvious in his voice. “I-I’m okay now, Kuya. Where’s my child?” “Mommy, I’m here.” Claire’s attention shifted to the voice, and there she saw Zayne, immediately pulling him into a hug. I smiled at the sight, knowing they must be happy too. “I’m sorry, Zayne. I never meant to hide the truth. I never meant to keep your twin a secret.” “Mommy, it’s okay. I know the truth now, and I’m happy because you really are my real mommy. I thought you had another family, that’s why you had a child—but it turns out, that child is my sibling, Mommy.” “Follow me, Zekiel.” I glanced at Claire’s brother when he suddenly stood up and said that to me. I took one last look at my wife and child before finally following him. So bossy—acting like he’s some big shot, always walking around with his nose in the ai
“Z-Zekiel, can I talk to you?”I stopped talking to Mommy when Claire spoke, so I turned to look at her. She was standing next to her annoying brother again, and they were both staring at me, so I nodded. “Just us, please, Auntie, Uncle,” I glanced at Mommy and Daddy, and they immediately nodded. Mommy picked up Zayne and walked out. “It’s just a talk—don’t be nervous,” I was startled by Daddy’s whisper. How did he know I was nervous? “I’m watching you.” Clark muttered this as he passed by me, making me glare at him. “Then watch all you want—I don’t care about you,” I whispered back before he disappeared from my sight. Ugh, acting all high and mighty—so annoying! “Zekiel.” Claire’s voice snapped me back to reality, and I realized we were the only ones left in the room. I walked closer to her as she sat on her bed. “What do you wanna talk about?” I asked, making her sigh deeply. “I just want to apologize, Zekiel. I’m sorry for hiding our child. I’m sorry for not being h
CLAIRE “W-Where is my child?” I struggled to ask Bea when I found out what happened. It felt like my world had crumbled upon hearing the news—nothing bad could happen to my child. It just couldn’t! “Come, follow me,” she said, running toward an unknown direction. We followed her without a word, none of us speaking. “Why is it closed?!” I demanded, banging on the door as soon as we arrived. “C-Claire, we can’t go inside,” Bea replied, but I shook my head in refusal. “N-No! No, I need to see my child’s condition!” I felt someone embrace me from behind. “Life, please, stop. Zoey will be okay,” Zekiel pleaded, but I struggled against him. I refused—I couldn’t accept not being allowed inside. “P-Please, let me in! I need to go in!” Tears streamed down my face from the pain I felt. I had only left my child for a moment, and now she was in the OR. “M-My Life, please calm down,” Zekiel said, turning me to face him. “Calm down?! How can I calm down when my child is in there f
I was pulled away from hugging Kuya (older brother) because of that, and I looked at him. He had a smile on his lips and wiped the tears on my cheeks. “If Mama were here, she would say the same thing—let them be, Claire.” Because of what Kuya said, I turned to the doctor and nodded. “Go ahead, Doc. And please… save our child.” After I said that, I felt Zekiel hold my hand. He smiled at me, then looked at the doctor. “Operate on our child,” Zekiel said before turning back to me and squeezing my hand. So this is what it feels like to have someone beside you in times of sorrow… It feels so comforting. “The operation was successful.” I immediately hugged Zekiel and Zayne when the doctor delivered the news as he stepped out of the operating room. “M-Mommy… D-Daddy, my twin is safe now!” Zayne said happily, making me smile as I could no longer hold back my tears. I was overjoyed that Zoey’s operation had a successful outcome. I glanced at Zekiel when he held my hand, smi
”WHERE is your brother?” Claire looked at Bea because of her question, which also made the others glance at her. “Ah, he already left. He’s going back home.” “To Paris?” Zekiel suddenly cut in, making Claire look at him. “Y-Yes,” Their brows furrowed at Claire’s response, and she immediately went to Zoey to attend to her. Bea, Dylan, and Hero exchanged looks at the girl’s action and just shrugged. They didn’t want any more commotion. “WHERE is my grandchild?!” Claire jolted awake upon hearing a loud voice and saw Nanay Lucing along with Quinn, Kaithy, and Timothy. “Nanay Lucing!” She quickly stood up and hugged her. “Zoey’s fine now. She’s had surgery, and the doctor said she’ll recover fully.” “Thank goodness! We were so worried!” Timothy’s mother said before approaching Zoey to check on her more closely. “Why didn’t you tell us, Claire? We would’ve understood. Why did you keep it a secret?” Claire fell silent at that, and Timothy stepped closer. “You have a
Bianca immediately stood up when she saw me and hid her phone. I narrowed my eyes at her because of what she did. “Oh yeah, why didn’t we think of it sooner? Those three must be friends!” Hero said, as if suddenly realizing. I sighed, let go of Zekiel’s hand, and approached Bianca. I sat in front of her and looked straight into her eyes. “Bianca, do you know where the twins went? Based on how you hid your phone, you know something, right? So don’t hide it anymore, okay?” I asked with a smile, making her shoulders slump before she nodded at me. “Ninang, I’m worried about them too! I can’t contact them anymore! They told me they’d call as soon as they arrived in Spain!” “Spain?!” We all asked in unison after hearing Bianca’s words. She nodded and handed me her phone. “That’s my last conversation with Zayne, Ninang.” The others immediately gathered around me to look at the phone. There were only a few texts, but it was clear—Zayne said they were going to Spain to look for
CLAIRE “PLEASE, Papa, just agree! I don’t know what I’ll do if something bad happens to my children. Papa, I’m begging you!” I was almost on my knees in front of Papa, just so he would allow me to return to the Philippines. When I found out the twins were missing, I immediately disturbed Papa so I could go home as soon as possible. I wouldn’t be at peace until I knew where they were. First, Kuya Clark goes missing, and now them too? “Claire, my child, stand up. I’ll agree, but—” “Thank you, Papa!” I couldn’t help myself and hugged him tightly, but he quickly pulled away. “That is, if your Kuya Timothy agrees. He’s the one covering for us. Don’t you remember you’re the Queen now? If they find out you’re not in the palace, there’ll be chaos again.” “Don’t worry, I’m willing to cover for Her Highness.” I was about to speak when that person cut me off. When we turned, we saw Kuya Timothy bowing respectfully to us. He lifted his gaze and gave me a sad smile. “I know how h
BREAKING NEWS: King Clark is missing! According to sources, he was last seen after the council meeting. Our King has yet to be found. Princess Claire and her family are now at the Palace to address the current crisis! This news has spread worldwide. After five years of King Clark Fuentes’ reign, Spain has enjoyed peace and prosperity. With the help of the new council appointed by the Princess, the country has flourished and gained even greater recognition. Who wouldn’t know the Fuentes and Gray families? Five years have passed since the Princess returned and started her own family. Today, their businesses continue to thrive, as does their growing number of supporters. The news spread quickly, and according to their rules, Claire had no choice but to temporarily take her brother’s position and become the acting ruler. “But Papa, I need to find my brother! How can I search for him if I’m buried under all this work?!” Claire said in frustration to her father, Stefan. “My chil
“We can finally get married now, right? And you can finally say yes to me, right?” Claire nodded while Zekiel smiled through his tears. The crowd erupted in cheers at the sight of them, especially since they immediately recognized Zekiel—one of the most renowned businessmen in the world. “Will you marry me, Princess Claire Fuentes?” “Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!” The people around them chanted loudly, making Claire’s family smile and even the twins join in. “Say yes! Say yes!” Claire slowly nodded, still crying. “Y-yes! Yes, absolutely, Zekiel!” Zekiel quickly slipped the ring onto her finger and stood to meet her gaze. He studied Claire’s face, wiping away her tears. “You don’t know how happy I am right now,” Zekiel said with a smile. “M-me too, Zekiel! I’m so happy! So, so happy!” Zekiel kissed Claire, making the crowd cheer even louder, some even screaming in excitement. They accepted whatever made their princess happy, and they accepted whoever she chose to m
“Now, I know what you’ve done for my sibling, and I accept you into our family,” Zekiel smiled at Clark’s words, and Clark hugged him briefly, patting his back. “I thought something had happened to you, my child! I was so scared that we rushed here without a proper plan,” Claire said tearfully. “That was the plan, Mommy—to completely defeat the enemy,” Zayne explained, furrowing his brows. “I let myself get captured on purpose, while I sent Zoey here to rescue you. There are no more enemies, Mommy. They’re all gone because Daddy made it up here, which means they’ve been defeated.” Claire couldn’t believe what Zayne was saying, her mind struggling to process it. “Your child is right, my love,” Claire turned to Zekiel at his words. “Zayne planned everything, which is why we were able to save you successfully.” Claire teared up and looked at her son. “Z-Zayne, thank you so much! You’re such a smart child!” She hugged Zayne, and the child hugged her back. “Daddy trusted me
“ON my cue,” Clark said seriously to their companions, as they were now scattered in the same place where he had been kidnapped before. They had discovered the enemy’s hideout thanks to Zoey. The child had mentioned that Zekiel found out its location, which was why he took her sibling. Zayne was right—they didn’t hesitate to storm the place, but the King and Zoey were left behind in the palace. “Go!” Clark shouted, and the sound of gunfire soon dominated the forest. Claire was fiercely exchanging fire with a group of enemies she encountered. The place had changed, and she was disoriented, but as soon as they entered, she and her brother were shocked when a net suddenly fell over them. “I’ve seen this before with Camille!” Claire yelled at her brother, recognizing it from the CCTV footage when Zekiel had captured them. “Louise and the rival Mafia are working together, so this must be their doing!” Clark replied, trying to break free, but the net was too strong. Moments la
“Oh my God, Zoey, it’s really you! I miss you, my daughter. Mommy misses you so much!” Claire showered her daughter’s cheeks with kisses, overwhelmed with longing. It had been almost two months since she had last held her child under Zekiel’s care. “I miss you too, Mommy!” “Zoey? Is this my grandchild?” The mother and daughter turned at the voice, and Zoey saw an elderly man wearing a crown—someone she recognized from TV, where she had seen him with her mother. “Grandpa!” Zoey immediately ran toward the King, who smiled warmly and scooped her up into his arms. In return, Zoey covered her grandfather’s face with kisses. “Wow, Grandpa, I can’t believe it’s really you! You’re the King? That’s so amazing!” Claire laughed, wiping tears from her cheeks as she watched them. “Haha, my dear, Grandpa’s getting tickled. That’s enough,” the King chuckled as the child finally stopped covering him in kisses and beamed up at him. “You’re so beautiful, my grandchild. You look just
“She’s terrifying!” Hero said. “That doesn’t seem like Zayne! He’s possessed by his father’s spirit!” Dylan exclaimed, earning a smack from Hero. “Damn! Bloodline really makes a difference! Look at him—Gray lineage, the sharpest in business, while Claire’s lineage carries noble blood and excels in combat!” The two fell silent when Zekiel shot them a glare, so they quietly followed him to the hideout. When they arrived, the child reached up to his father. “Daddy, can you trust me?” “Of course I trust you, son,” Zekiel said with a smile, pinching his nose. “Thank you, Dad. Now, here’s the plan...” “WE NEED to act now,” Clark said seriously. “Why does Claire have to come? Just your brother and I should go. Claire, you’re pregnant—you can’t,” the King insisted. They were in the main room, a day after the chaos had unfolded. They had released a statement claiming that a Mafia group had attempted to assassinate the princess and that they would fight back, urging the publ
“Are you okay, Claire?” Clark asked his sister worriedly as she drank something to calm herself. “I-I’m fine now, Kuya. I was just shocked by the sudden gunshot—I didn’t expect that,” Claire said, making Clark nod in response. “Me neither. It’s your day, Claire. But they did this on purpose to kill you. Thankfully, the shooter had bad aim and missed,” Clark replied. If this were any other situation and not so serious, Claire might have laughed at the thought of the shooter missing. But right now, her life was on the line. “What are you two talking about? What’s really going on?! I thought the Mafia was gone, Clark?!” They both turned to their father, having forgotten he was there—and that he had heard everything. “I-I’m sorry, Papa. I lied. I needed to keep your mind at ease after what happened to Mama, but the truth is… the Mafia isn’t gone. They’ve been lying low for a month, waiting for today—this is when they’re starting their war.” The King still couldn’t process wh