LOGINIt was a romantic wedding theme. The space in front of the bridal chopper had been transformed into an altar, crowned with a grand arch lavishly adorned with flowers of varying colors and shapes. Peach and light blue defined the motif—soft, elegant, and dreamlike. From the shuttle bus stretched a long peach carpet, its edges lined with fresh light-blue flowers all the way to the altar. Rows upon rows of chairs filled the venue, each one accented with peach ribbons tied neatly along the sides, from the first row to the very last near the shuttle bus. MOMENTS OF LOVE song drifted through the air, wrapping the entire place in sentiment. Guests hurried to take their seats, excitement buzzing among them. The procession began with the Best Man, Lemuel, followed by Dixal and his mother, Madam Adele. Then came the sponsors—godfathers and godmothers—among them Director Diaz, Anton’s father. Next down the aisle were the ring bearer, Devon, and the adorable flower girls scattering smil
“This is the kind of press conference I wanted to give you—a wedding.” Dixal murmured the words before brushing a kiss along her neck. She laughed softly and wrapped her arms around him, smiling at their friend who stood nearby, envy written plainly on his face. Beside him were the two pairs of in-laws, and the child holding both grandmothers’ hands, watching the couple with wide, curious eyes. Tears welled in her eyes, joy spilling over at her husband’s surprise. It was a blessing he had found her in time. Had he arrived even a little later, there would be no surprise wedding today. “Ssssh. Stop crying,” Dixal whispered teasingly as he rubbed her back, hearing her sniffle. “You’ll look awful in our wedding photos if your eyes are swollen. I refuse to be photographed with you like that.” She laughed through her tears and swatted his back. “You’re unbelievable. All this secrecy—what if you arrived late? I could’ve already left. You wouldn’t have found me.” “That will never happen
She helped Devon onto a cushioned settee. The moment the boy felt how soft it was, he stretched out as if it were a bed, turning a nearby pillow into his makeshift cushion. She adjusted his position carefully so he wouldn’t fall, then turned to the AirAsia guard and staff standing nearby. “Thank you so much,” she said, offering them a grateful smile. “You’re welcome, Ma’am,” the staff replied warmly. “We’ll come back once it’s time for you to leave.” The two exited the room, closing the door behind them. Only then did her strength finally give way. She sank onto the sofa at the foot of her son’s resting place, her body sagging with exhaustion. She had been holding back tears since earlier, forcing herself to stay strong—for Devon, for the child growing inside her. But now, the resolve she clung to so desperately began to crumble. Her chest tightened, her breath hitching as the ache swelled inside her. She had grown used to having Dixal beside her—his constant care, his habit of
ONE WEEK LATER Dixal no longer allowed Flora Amor to work. She stayed inside their house in Imus, shielded from stress—or so he thought. Her mother, however, was clearly not spared. “Of all the stubborn children in the world, you just had to be the worst,” her mother snapped while gathering the lanzones peels scattered on the table. “You get pregnant, and suddenly you turn into a complete slob. Were you hit on the head or something?” “Ma, just leave those there,” Flora Amor said calmly, peeling another fruit. “They’re wrapped. The sap won’t stain the table.” “Witch!” her mother barked, dropping into the seat beside her. “You’ve been eating nonstop since earlier. If your belly balloons too fast, you’ll be the one suffering when you give birth. Crazy girl!” She laughed. “How would my stomach balloon when I’m only eating fruit? Relax, Ma.” Her mother clicked her tongue. “Hush, do whatever you want. I’m leaving. I’m going to the salon.” “Again?” she teased. “Yesterday you said you
Dixal changed his mind. Instead of going to the detention center to speak with his grandfather, he chose to accompany Flora Amor to Devon’s school to pick up their son. “Dixal… Christmas is almost here,” she said, breaking the silence as they waited in the school’s parking area, watching the door where Devon’s classroom was located. “Aren’t you really going to talk to your grandfather?” He kept his gaze fixed on the windshield. “What reason do I have to see him?” His voice carried quiet bitterness. “What I learned today only deepened my resentment. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even belong to him—like he isn’t truly my father’s father. Honestly, I’d probably feel relieved if my mother told me he wasn’t Papa’s father at all.” She reached for his arm, her touch gentle but firm. “Learn to forgive, even when it’s difficult—especially when it involves family. What matters is that he’s already in prison and can’t hurt anyone anymore.” He turned to her, studying her face. “Am
Everything for that day had already been planned—if only Nicky hadn’t come to Dixal’s office. For the first time, the woman bowed respectfully before Flora Amor. “Good day, Madam Flor. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you right away when you attended our previous meeting. I thought Sir was with Ms. Shelda back then,” she said apologetically. Flora Amor paused, thinking. When she finally remembered when that meeting had taken place, she stepped closer and gently helped Nicky straighten up. “Oh, it’s fine,” she said lightly. “No one would’ve known I was Dixal’s wife anyway—if I hadn’t lost my temper inside your department. I don’t think he ever planned to introduce his wife to the public.” She said it teasingly, casting a playful yet pointed glance at the man perched on the edge of his worktable, one foot on the floor and the other raised. Dixal scratched his forehead and smiled sheepishly. Nicky smiled too, embarrassed but amused. “So, what brings you here?” Dixal asked. “E







