Mag-log inThe world thought she was dead. He thought he had buried her memory. But Jacintha returned, not as the woman Reid once ignored. She's back as the rival who now owns everything he built. Once, he broke her heart and soul. Now, she holds his empire in the palm of her hand and she plans to crush it, piece by piece. Reid discovers that the mysterious heiress behind his company’s collapse is the wife he divorced, their collision sets the city on fire. A shocking truth awaits Jacintha cutting short her vengeful pursuit. When the past refuses to stay buried, will the line between love and hatred blur?
view moreThe late afternoon sun glowed softly on the marble steps of the Andros mansion as Bianca slipped her arm under Navie’s, helping her climb the last few stairs. Then it occurred to her, a single shove. Just one gentle shove. The image unravelled in Bianca's mind like a dark fantasy, Navie sprawled on the tiles below, lying in the pool of her own blood, her baby gone and perhaps too, the mother gone.
“Careful,” Bianca said with a sweet smile. “You shouldn’t strain yourself in your condition.”
Navie smiled faintly, her free hand cradling her baby bump. “I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
Only two steps to the front door, they had climbed four steps. Bianca’s gaze flicked to the steps behind them. they we sharp drop that could end everything in one tumble. Bianca’s manicured fingers twitched. She could do it. She could end everything. Once and for all. She would also fall with her, pretending they both slipped down the stairs.
“Bianca?” Navie’s gentle voice pulled her back.
Bianca blinked, the fantasy dispersing like smoke. Navie was smiling at her, so free, so trusting it made Bianca sick.
“Thank you,” Navie said softly. “For always being there for me. I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re Reid’s best friend, but you have always treated me like a sister.”
Bianca forced a light laugh, the sound almost musical. A sister, she thought bitterly. If only you knew how badly I want to get rid of you. Sister dear.
Navie smiled inwardly, she was grateful for Bianca's company, no matter what anyone says. To her, Bianca is a sweet soul. They reached the door. The housekeeper opened it immediately, bowing as the two women stepped into the vast, luxurious villa.
“Reid!” Bianca called out, her face lighting up when she saw the man seated on the couch. “Guess who brought home the gold!”
From the sitting room, Reid Andros sat, broad-shouldered and elegant, wearing a perfectly tailored suit, jawline as if carved to perfection. He stood up slowly to welcome them . His dark eyes softened at the sight of Bianca, not his wife.
“Bianca,” he said with a rare smile. “You did it?”
She giggled and ran into his arms, hugging him tightly.
“First place! And look—” She pulled out a small velvet box and opened it excitedly. Inside gleamed a golden butter knife, the award that was presented to her. “They said it symbolizes excellence and refinement.”
“Of course, you deserve this,” Reid replied gazing at her with admire.
At the doorway, Navie stood silently, her smile frozen in place. The sight of her husband’s childhood friend pressed so close to him, laughing radiantly. Yet she swallowed and smiled, she's happy for Bianca. And of course Reid would be happy. Bianca truly deserved the award. Reid finally turned to her, his eyes narrowing. His smile disappeared instantly.
“And you. Why did you even enter that competition?”
Navie blinked. “I just… wanted to try. I didn’t think—”
“You DON'T think at all,” he snapped, his tone slicing through the air sharper than any blade. “You’re pregnant, Navie! What kind of impression do ou want to give others? That I’m some careless husband letting my seven months pregnant wife overwork herself for attention?”
Her lips parted, trembling. “I only wanted to do something nice—”
“Don’t argue with me!” His voice rose. “Do you want the press to think I’m heartless? That I neglect you? You always do this Navie, acting without thinking.”
Bianca’s hand slipped around his arm in a feigned attempt to calm him. “Reid, don’t be so harsh,” she said gently, leaning closer. “She just wanted to take a break from this boring house. It quite boring for her you know. Staying indoors all day? I’m sure. Navie’s trying her best.”
Navie’s eyes dropped to their linked arms. The sight stung worse than his words. But still, Bianca is speaking in her favour. She's grateful enough for that. She swallowed the ache.
“I’m sorry, Reid. I’ll be more careful next time.”
But her apology only deepened his frown.
“Go rest,” he ordered coldly, signaling a nearby maid with a snap of his fingers. . “Take her to her room and call a doctor, I don't want my child to be stressed because of someone's negligence”
The maid stepped forward obediently. “This way, ma’am.”
As the maids led Navie away, she caught faint whispers from the maids passing by.
“She’s so stupid,” one murmured.
“Competing against Miss Bianca? What was she thinking?” another snickered.
“She should know her place.”
“Tsk! You brats! Off to your post!”, the maid accompanying Navie yelled at them.
Navie’s throat burned, but she said nothing. Her vision blurred as tears welled, threatening to spill down her cheeks. She bit her lips to prevent it. When they reached her room, she dismissed the maid.
“Thank you, I would like to be alone”. The maid bowed and left. Once the door closed, the maid turned and glanced at the door. “What a duffer, Miss Bianca doesn't thank us, she's more qualified than that but what can I expect from an high school graduate”, she hissed and left.
When she sat on her bed, her composure shattered. She pressed a hand over her mouth to muffle her sobs. He didn't even ask about her, he didn't comfort her for losing. She wanted to impress him if she won but she lost. He should have at least encouraged her. Instead all she got was taunts and a scolding.
Reid indirectly reminded her once again, that she's just a woman carrying his heir. She's just a wife in name. His baby mattered more to him than the woman carrying it. Her head started to ache, she finally lay on her bed. The doctor came and examined her, when the doctor left she took a nap. By the time she woke up, it was already dark. Her eyes were puffy, her chest heavy. She stepped onto the balcony, breathing in the cool air that swept through the garden below. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes
Navie’s hands rested on her stomach.
“Don’t worry,” she whispered to her unborn child, her voice trembling. “Mama’s fine… we’re fine.”
But deep down, something inside her broke softly, quietly, like the first break in glass before it shatters.
Clutching her bag tighter, she staggered back into the street. Suddenly the world became to blur, the cars zoomed too fast. The noise and chatter dimmed in the background, everywhere went blurry. Someone bumped into her. She saw them, their faces were blurred.“What's with her”,“She must be homeless, look at her dress”, their voices sounded miles away. She held her head as a piercing high pitched frequency rang in her head. She closed her eyes trying to forget it all. Trying to find herself in the midst of the storm in her mind. She staggered into the road, her entire body was shaking from fear. She did not see the car until it was too late. The last thing she saw was the blinding headlights of the car.The car's tires screeched loudly after hitting her. A man leapt out immediately followed by his driver. Jayden Dela Torre's heart stopped at the sight of the frail woman lying in the road unconscious, a baby wailing in her arms. He rushed to the woman and checked her, she was soaked
She sat up on the bed and opened the drawer beside her bed, taking out a paper. George was absent yet he sent a package to her, when she opened it, she was shocked and quickly hid it back. But now she's made up her mind. She rubbed an hand over her eyes to clear her vision. She sniffed and read the contents of the paper over and over again. After thirty minutes, the door opened again, she smelled the familiar cologne that she knew too well, she has requested to see him. Navie couldn't believe she was requesting to see her own husband in their home.Reid stopped at the door, he hesitated to touch the knob. With shaky hands, he summoned courage and entered the room. The room smelt of depression. A tiny figure sat on the bed, hair covering her face. She was holding a paper and staring at it intently. It's been a month since they lost their baby, Reid still felt the guilt, out of nowhere he felt he was responsible for it but he doesn't know how. He remembered the day she woke up in the h
Hours later, Navie's eyes flickered open. When Navie woke, the ceiling above her was blindingly white, the sterile scent of antiseptic heavy in the air. Her vision blurred as she adjusted to her environment, then she suddenly recalled her babies. She tried to sit up, but a sharp ache in her abdomen forced her back down. The nurse adjusting her drip quickly assisted her back down.Her lips trembled. “My babies… where are my babies?”The nurse's eyes lowered to the floor and she stepped back, she glanced at her colleague. The door opened, another person in white coat joined them. The doctor was carrying a chart. The doctor, standing at the foot of her bed, hesitated. His shoulders sagged as though the words themselves weighed him down. “I’m… I’m sorry, Mrs Andros. The children didn’t survive, the labour was rushed and complicated. You were not due when you went into labour”. The room spun. Her arms reached instinctively to her stomach, tears stung her vision.“Y–You're joking right?
Navie stood her hands holding her swollen belly. The air was heavy with the scent of lilies and the faint hum of people, paying their respects. Her mother’s casket rested before her, draped in pristine white, and her heart ached as if a part of her had been ripped away.Reid stood beside her, hands clasped stiffly in front of him. He looked the part of a grieving husband but inside, every fiber of him resisted. He only come because her mother’s death would’ve made headlines if he didn't. Because the press would have given him a hard time. ,”Reid Andros didn’t stand beside his grieving wife.”He had a company to inherit, and his public image mattered a lot right now. He had never loved Navie. His father had forced this marriage upon him, he planned to make her bear his heir. That heir was the only thing he truly cared about; once he secured his father’s company, the divorce would follow.His eyes, stormy and unreadable, flicked toward Navie as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchi












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