Jane woke up feeling heavy. She couldn't fully open her eyes because they were swollen. She sighed and stared at the ceiling. She bit her lip when she remembered seeing Rodrigo. "I had a breakdown again, I guess," she sadly said to herself. That's when she felt a slight ache in her arm. Five years have passed, but she still wasn't okay. Jane thought she was prepared in case she saw Rodrigo again. But she was wrong. Her fear of him hadn't disappeared. And it seemed like the trauma he had inflicted on her would never go away. She lay there for a few more minutes before deciding to get up from bed and go downstairs. As she descended the stairs, she could already smell the aroma of frying chicken. When she looked into the kitchen, she saw Rico singing while cooking. He glanced at her. "Finally, the sleeping beauty is awake," Rico jokingly said when he saw Jane. Jane gave a faint smile and sat in front of the table. "I'm sorry." "For what?" Rico asked as he turned his attention back t
After Jane finished cooking, they quickly prepared as well. They added more rice and some dishes because they had additional guests. It didn't take long for Renz to arrive. Renz immediately joined Brian to play, while Jonax opened a can of beer and joined them. Jane smiled as she watched her son playing with the two men he considered his fathers. It made her realize that she shouldn't be afraid because there are people willing to help her. Rico cleared his throat. "Looks like you're seeing your future, huh?" he said meaningfully. Jane quickly looked at Rico and glared at him. "Shut up, okay?" she said, laughing. "I'm just happy because Renz is so close to both of them. You know, I don't know where we would be if you hadn't found us." "Do we still need to go through the drama? I already know that, and you don't have to worry anymore. Don't think about it. What you need right now is to be happy. Okay?" Jane nodded. He was right. Maybe it's time for her to be happy. After they set th
Jane woke up early to prepare for her shop. As her condition improved, she decided to start this business. She trained with Renz for two years until her business reached its second year. Sometimes she would bring Renz to the shop, but when he turned three, she started leaving him at a daycare center. Aside from the early learning opportunities it provided, he also had playmates there. After dropping off Renz at the center, Jane went to her shop. It was still closed as it was only seven in the morning. They opened at nine, and her two staff members would arrive at eight. Jane unlocked the roll-up door and entered the shop but didn't turn on the lights or adjust the signboard yet. She needed to check what happened yesterday because she couldn't make it to work and wanted to review their sales. Their shop wasn't very big, but Jane planned to look for a lot because they imported the flowers they sold. She intended to start growing the flowers herself because she knew how to cultivate the
Jane hurriedly walked out of the hospital. The fear she felt was gradually being replaced by anger. She was furious because it seemed so easy for the guy. With everything that had happened in the past, did he really think she would forgive him just like that? Lana still had a trauma because of what he did. She had to distance herself from her family to keep them safe! She would never forgive him, no matter what he did. "Ouch!" Jane almost tripped when she suddenly bumped into something hard. Luckily, someone grabbed her waist, preventing her from falling. "Hannah!" "Brian?" Jane stood up straight and looked at the guy in surprise. "What are you doing here?" "Checking on you. What happened to you?" "Huh?" Brian sighed. "Your staff called me. They've been worried about you since they arrived at the shop and found it open but you weren't inside. When they reviewed the CCTV footage, they saw a man with you. Who was that?" he explained with concern. "I'm here because Rico told me tha
"Oh, my God, Hannah! You scared me!" Rico exclaimed as Jane got out of the car. He quickly approached her and hugged her tightly. "What happened to you?" "Can we go inside first?" Jane anxiously looked around. She felt like there were eyes watching them. "Okay." Rico guided Jane into the room. He signaled Brian to enter the house as well, and the latter nodded. The three of them entered the house. Rico seated Jane on the sofa and hurriedly fetched a glass of water. When he returned, he handed it to Jane and made her drink. Rico sat beside Jane. "Now tell me. How did you end up in the hospital? What did Brian tell me? I almost called Jaxon to gather his men!" Rico asked with concern. Jane clasped her hands tightly and held onto them. She briefly looked at Brian, who was also staring at her, before turning her gaze back to Rico. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Rico. "H-He's back, Rico. I told you. He won't leave me alone." Rico paused for a moment. "You mean?" "Who?"
"What do you mean you will go to the Philippines?" Rico asked Jane in surprise as he watched her pack her things."You heard him, Rico. I need to go there. He took my son.""They won't be able to leave without being seen by Jaxon's people, Jane. Can we just wait for their update?"Jane angrily let go of the clothes on the bed. "You don't know him, Rico. For now, I'm sure they're already on the plane and heading back to the Philippines! And I need to go there!""You're not safe there, Jane! When will you listen to me?" Rico raised his voice. He felt like Jane wasn't listening to him. He had been calling and telling her to wait and breathe because they were already working on a solution, but she didn't stop."I can't wait, Rico! My son is out there with that monster! I can't just wait here!""Okay!" Brian suddenly intervened between the two of them, who had been standing by the door. He faced Rico. "I will talk to her, Rico."Rico rolled his eyes. "That's better!" he said in frustration
"Rodrigo! Thank goodness you're he— What the hell is that?!" Clarixto exclaimed in shock when he saw the child being held by Rodrigo. He immediately clung to Rodrigo's leg and partially hid. He looked at his nephew, his face filled with astonishment. Rodrigo, on the other hand, grinned widely, seemingly delighted."What?""What do you mean 'what'? Who is that?"Rodrigo's smile widened. He sat down and faced Renz. "Uncle, he is my son, Renz. Your grandson." He looked at Clarixto, who was still staring at them with wide eyes. "Greet your Lolo."Renz looked at Clarixto. "Hello, Lolo," he greeted politely, but hesitancy was evident.Clarixto shifted his gaze between Renz and Rodrigo. He had known his nephew since he was a child. He couldn't deny the striking resemblance between them. It was like they were the product of the same union. Renz resembled Rodrigo when he was a child. Clarixto turned away and exhaled sharply."Are you—" Clarixto looked at the child. He expelled another breath o
Jane took a deep breath. As the vehicle that was taking her to Rodrigo's mansion approached, her heart beat faster and faster. When she got off the plane earlier, someone was waiting for her in her car. It seemed like Rodrigo knew she was coming. It was the right decision for her and Brian to leave for Samar first. Brian stayed behind to prepare what they needed to escape from Rodrigo's grasp.It didn't take long for them to reach the mansion. As she approached, her heart raced even more. Her driver opened the door on her side, and she stepped out. The appearance of the mansion hadn't changed. It was still the same as she remembered. However, surprisingly, there were no armed men scattered around, like before. There were still bodyguards, but they weren't as intimidating as before.Jane walked inside. Painful memories slowly resurfaced within the house. She clenched her fists and tried to gather her courage, even though her knees were trembling. Rodrigo was despicable! He hadn't chang