CLAIRE I was half-asleep when I felt the urge to pee, so I stretched on the bed before getting up. But suddenly, I felt something brush against me—and it moved. Then, I felt a warm hand wrap around my waist. My mind snapped awake, and I turned to look beside me, but I winced as a sharp pain shot through my head. What happened? I tried to recall the events until everything came rushing back. "Oh my God!" I whispered under my breath and immediately glanced beside me. There he was—the guy I saw yesterday, shirtless, just like me. I fell back onto the bed, my heart pounding wildly. What do I do?! I just had a one-night stand with a stranger! My God, Claire, what have you done?! I took a deep breath to calm myself before gathering the courage to slowly remove his arm from my waist. I was careful, and thankfully, I succeeded. He stirred slightly, but I quickly slipped away, replacing my spot with a pillow. Then, I felt a dull ache between my thighs. My God! I was a virgin unti
As soon as I entered, I immediately saw Bea, but Dylan was no longer there. I quickly approached her. "Bea," She immediately looked at me, stood up, and hugged me. I felt her shoulders shaking again. She seemed troubled earlier while waiting for me. "C-Claire, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" "Shhh... It's okay, Bea. Don’t worry about it," I said while patting her back, letting her cry in my arms. After a few minutes, she finally calmed down. "Are you okay now?" I asked with a smile, and she nodded. Her eyes were swollen, and her nose was red. Bea was beautiful—she had long black hair with brown highlights, thick eyebrows, long lashes, and thin lips. In short, she was perfect. "Let’s sit down, Bea," I said, and we sat. "Wait, where’s Dylan? He was here earlier, right?" She looked at me curiously. "He left. He said he was going to wake up his friend, the best man, Kiel. You know, you and Kiel would make a great pair! Though he’s a bit grumpy, but with your beauty, I’m sure you co
Key Notes: “Nanay Lucing” – it’s a term of endearment (like ‘Mommy Lucing’). “Kuya” – tagalog word of ‘Brother’; it’s also a sign of respect to a stranger in Filipino culture.***I’M now in Bea’s hotel car. After our conversation, I didn’t hesitate to leave. I left some clothes and belongings behind since I wouldn’t need them at home anyway—I have plenty of clothes there. Besides, if I ever go back, I’ll have something to wear. We’re almost home, and I’m sure Mom and Nanay Lucing will be surprised by my early return. I originally told them I’d be staying there for a week for a vacation, even after Bea and the others left. But unexpected things happened. "Ms. Claire, we’re here." The driver’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked outside and saw that we had indeed arrived. I must have been so preoccupied that I didn’t even notice our surroundings. "Thank you so much, Kuya. Here’s something for your trip home," I said with a smile, handing him a thousand peso
"Mom, Nanay, please take care, okay? A month will pass quickly, and I’ll be back soon, I promise," I said to them as I hugged them tightly. It was already six in the evening, and my flight was at seven. I needed to leave now, or I might be late. "Take care too, Claire. We’ll miss you," Mom said, her voice trembling with tears. "Don’t cry, Nanay, or I’ll cry too. I’ll come back, okay?" I replied, my own voice breaking. I couldn’t stop my tears—they just kept falling. "Lucing, stop it. Claire’s crying now too. If she doesn’t leave soon, her flight money will go to waste," Mom said, shaking her head. "Just take care, okay? I’ll call you as soon as I land in Paris. It’ll be morning there, but night here." Since it was nighttime here, it would be morning there. That’s why Bea booked me a night flight—she knew that. "That’s good. And if anything happens, call us immediately," Mom said, making me nod. Between the two of them, Mom was the most worrisome. She acted like I was never
"You’re going to kill me with worry, Claire! You almost fell on the floor earlier! Aren’t you being careful? You know you’re pregnant!" I sighed at Bea’s scolding. I had already returned to my unit because she immediately picked me up from the lobby. Turns out, she had told the staff not to let me out, so I couldn’t escape—plus, Zekiel was just in the other room. I was okay now because I’d already seen him. Even though our reunion wasn’t perfect, at least it was something. Hehe. "Are you even listening to me, Claire?" Her words snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked at her and flashed the sweetest smile I could muster. "You’re so stubborn, Claire. Goodness, what am I going to do with you?" she said, pacing back and forth in front of me like she was deeply troubled. "Don’t stress yourself, Bea. You’re pregnant too," I told her, making her glare at me. "Then don’t do anything stupid!" she shot back, shutting me up. She was right—all I ever did was act reckless. I just cou
I felt them rubbing my back. “Hush now, my child. Didn’t I tell you before you left that no matter what problem you have, you should just tell us because we’re ready to help you? But what did you do? You hid it and ran away from the truth,” I shook my head at what Mom said to me. “M-Mom, I didn’t want to… I didn’t want you to know. I have so many dreams for the three of us, and I haven’t even repaid you both, yet here I am, pregnant. Mom, Nay, I promise I didn’t mean for this to happen.” “Shhh, calm down, Claire. Crying isn’t good for the baby. I’ll get you some water,” Nanay said to me before standing up. I looked at Mom, who was staring at me in disbelief. “Mom, I’m sorry. I know I disappointed you. I’m really sorry,” I hugged her, and she rubbed my back. “I accept your apology, Claire, but God has a plan. I know there’s a reason why there’s a baby in your belly. I just can’t believe you’re going to have a family now, my child. I just can’t believe it. By the way, where’
-FOUR MONTHS LATER-Several months have passed, and my baby has been in my womb for six months now. They’re getting heavy. Sometimes, I even struggle to stand. How could you not, when there are two babies inside? I don’t know how you wouldn’t find it difficult. "There’s nothing you can do, Bea. I’m going there now, and that’s final." Bea and the others returned home a week after I found out I was carrying twins. At first, Dylan didn’t know I was pregnant, but when my belly started growing, he realized—and was shocked to find out it was twins. He never asked who the father was. He probably respected that I didn’t want to say, especially since I never mentioned anything to him. Now, Bea and I are arguing because I want to see Zekiel. It’s been so long since I last saw him in person. I need to see him face-to-face—it feels like I’ll die if I don’t. "Claire, you’re losing your mind again! What if something happens to you?! What if he recognizes you?! Claire, come on!" Bea’
DYLAN I’m currently in Kiel’s office because we need to have a meeting about the woman he’s been searching for a long time. He entrusted me to find her. On the day of our wedding, he had a one-night stand with a woman, and according to him, they were supposed to have a child. That’s what he said, but I don’t believe it. If they were really having a child, the woman should have come forward to hold him accountable. But months have passed, and she’s still nowhere to be found. "Why can't you all find her?! It's just a simple task!" I winced at Kiel’s outburst—this is how he always reacts whenever we fail to locate the woman. Ever since she disappeared, he’s become even more hot-tempered, colder, and harsher toward everyone around him—even toward me, his friend. "We need to find her! We have to see her!" He said this in frustration, even pulling at his hair. This was the first time I’ve seen him in such a state—going crazy over someone he doesn’t even know. I stayed quie
“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
“No, YOU are being rude.” The man suddenly sat back down at her words, and the room fell silent. “May I remind all of you? We hired you to be the BALANCERS of this country, not the RULERS. WE are the rulers, and YOU are the balancers. So you have NO right to decide whether to accept me or my late mother as Princess and Queen of this country!” Claire held her head high as she spoke, leaving them speechless. Timothy grinned widely, almost clapping at his friend’s words. “I, the Princess of Spain, declare that the current council will be REPLACED with a new one!” Everyone stood up in protest, but Timothy acted swiftly, slamming his long gun on the table, silencing them. “The princess has given an order, so you MUST obey. Royal blood can make decisions without consulting the king.” Claire smiled as she saw the defeated looks on the men’s faces, then glanced at Timothy, who nodded back. Finally, she had avenged her mother. ’Mama, I know this is what you wanted. We miss you so
Breaking News: After a decade and a half of searching for the Queen and Princess of Spain, they have finally been found. Unfortunately, the Queen has passed away, and only the Princess, Princess Claire, has survived. Reports have also spread that the two royals had been staying in the Philippines, where they lived as ordinary citizens. --- Zekiel turned off the TV after seeing the news. A few days had passed since Timothy went with him to retrieve the body of the late Queen. He desperately wanted to see Claire, but he couldn’t—he had no right to ask about her. Especially now that she was known worldwide, with the strange circumstances surrounding her and her mother spreading everywhere. “Daddy!” He turned to the door and saw the twins running toward him. “Is there any news about Mommy yet?” Zoey asked with a hopeful smile. “Not yet, sweetheart,” Zekiel replied sadly. “Don’t worry, Daddy! Mommy will come back! Uncle Clark promised us!” Zoey said cheerfully. “Zoey’s ri
He was Timothy’s father and Kaithy’s husband. The right hand of the King, his own father. He was the one who taught them how to fight back then, so he could never forget the man—he had played such a huge part in his life. “I miss you so much, Tito!” She pulled away from the hug, and the man held her cheeks. “I couldn’t believe you’d grow up into such a beautiful lady.” Claire smiled even wider at his words. “Mama took good care of me, Tito.” The man’s smile faded at what she said. “I’m sorry about your mother.” “It’s okay, Tito. I’ve accepted it. It’s Papa I’m worried about.” Timothy’s father understood Tagalog but couldn’t speak it fluently since he didn’t grow up in the Philippines, unlike his wife and son, who had spent many years there. “I’ll go ahead now, Tito. I’ll see you later.” She smiled at him, and the man nodded. The news of the princess’s arrival spread quickly throughout the palace, and many wanted to catch a glimpse of her. Some even secretly positioned
Clark bowed his head at her question. “The doctor said your body is completely exhausted, especially after you were hit by a bullet in the shoulder,” Claire touched her shoulder but felt no pain there. No wonder it didn’t hurt—she had been asleep for a week. “The twins, Kuya?! What happened to my children?!” she exclaimed in shock as she remembered her kids. “Calm down, Claire. They’re fine. I had our people watch over them, so everything’s alright.” Claire stopped her hysterics upon hearing this and let out a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry, Kuya Clark. I’m just scared something bad might happen to my family.” Clark nodded in understanding at his sister’s words. Even though he didn’t have his own family yet, he felt the same way about theirs. “Oh, by the way, Kuya, does Papa know I’m here?” Clark shook his head at her question. “Papa doesn’t know. I hid you, Claire, because I want you to be the one to talk to him about what happened to Mama.” Claire couldn’t help but feel
After Zekiel said that, he immediately shot the enemies, causing the other two to join in, each firing at the opponents trying to advance. Since there were three of them, they quickly defeated them, much to the delight of the other two. “Finally!” Hero exclaimed. “We can go home now! Kiel, come on, hurry!” Dylan was the first to run, making the other two shake their heads before following. Dylan stopped at a door where they knew Louise was. “You go first, Kiel, hehe,” Dylan said, scratching his head sheepishly. “See? Acting all tough but actually a coward,” Hero teased, earning him a glare from Dylan. Meanwhile, Zekiel didn’t hesitate—he kicked the door open. But he froze when he saw Louise and Camille lifeless, drenched in their own blood on the floor. “D-Daddy!” He turned toward the voice and immediately ran to the twins. “Zoey! Zayne!” He hugged them tightly as the twins cried into his chest. When an explosion echoed in the distance, Zoey started crying again, b
“IN the count of three,” Zekiel said seriously as they stood at the edge of the garden of the building where Timothy was hiding, holding his family hostage. “One... Two... Three... NOW!” Zekiel’s men quickly scrambled into action at his signal. When they reached the underground passage, two people opened it, and as soon as it was unlocked, they rushed inside one after another. “Go! Go! Go!” Dylan whispered urgently to their teammates leading the way inside. “Make sure to keep it quiet,” Hero muttered to one of the men, who nodded in response. Once everyone else was in, the three of them followed. They had only brought a few men underground since the others were on lookout and would join them once the trap was set. When they entered, they found themselves in an open space that was clearly abandoned. “Start setting things up as planned.” The men nodded and began working on their assigned tasks. They had agreed to place long, sharp metal rods so that when their enemies