I arrived at Grandfather's residence a few minutes after 6 PM. My mission had been abruptly derailed earlier when Chris called, inviting me to S.M.K Industries to review the sales report I had requested initially.He felt something was amiss and wanted my input. He was right, but that issue had already been resolved. We had spent several hours questioning the staff responsible, trying to diagnose why some figures weren't matching. By the end of the day, everything was cleared up.I felt a wave of relief, but my emotions shifted as I walked toward Grandfather's slice of paradise. I felt plagued.I hadn't had the chance to check the Internet for confirmation of Lydia's news. Still, I preferred to discuss my fate with Grandfather. If Dahlia was truly returning to the city in two days, I was doomed—unless I could somehow persuade Grandfather to call off the wedding or postpone it while I resumed my pursuit of my ex-wife.When I finally reached the porch, I opened the door to the huge mans
Lydia's revelation shook me, but my expression gave nothing away. Inwardly, I was engulfed in disbelief and confusion. I couldn't fathom the information she had just disclosed. How had I been unaware of this? Was it even true? If Dahlia was really returning to the City in two days, shouldn’t I have been informed?As I wrestled with these thoughts, I huffed out a scoff, dismissing Lydia's news as absurd. There was no way I wouldn’t have found out by now. She claimed it was all over the news, but I couldn't bring myself to check the Internet; I didn’t want to give her any reason to believe that she had insight into my life."Let me guess," I started, breaking the heavy silence that hung between us. "Your source informed you about this as well?""I’m being serious, Sebastian. As I said before, I’m here to help," she insisted, but I brushed her off once more."You know, I've never encountered a woman so hell-bent on helping someone through marriage, especially when that someone is her ex?
I froze in my seat momentarily, my spine stiffening with a chill. I could hardly believe my eyes. My surroundings blurred as my focus zeroed in on the toddler scampering toward my corner, screeching with untamed enthusiasm."Daddy!" Diego exclaimed in elation, and I only jolted from my thoughts when he finally halted by my side, behind the mahogany desk. His small hand rested on mine, compelling me to turn my face to him.To say I was surprised to see him in my office this random afternoon would be an understatement. I couldn't comprehend it. But if he was here, that meant Lydia was nearby, possibly already walking through the entrance while I pondered my thoughts.Regardless, I pushed those concerns aside, focusing on the little boy standing before me. He looked nothing like me but resembled Lydia in every way—except for the wavy brown hair, which I now realized he must have inherited from his father's side. I felt a pang of guilt constrict my heart as I stared at him. "Daddy?" he
SEBASTIAN'S POVAs I exited the vehicle, my phone rang again for the millionth time—at least that's what four missed calls from Lydia seemed like to me. I glanced at the device, frustration bubbling inside me. I couldn't understand why she was calling me. Why she kept on anyways despite me not answering her the first three times she had called. I thought I had made it clear during our last meeting before leaving the City that I wanted no more contact. It greatly annoyed me that she was reaching out just as I had arrived in Clasold. Could this be a coincidence, or did she already know I was coming into the City tonight? The former seemed unlikely, as Lydia had rarely called while I was in Puwak City. So it must be that she was aware I was currently in Clasold City or she presumed I was flying in tonight. Either way, these possibilities left me bewildered. How did she know? I hadn't told anyone, including my families.Regardless, I dismissed the call and slid my phone into my suit pock
LYDIA's POV"Come on, Diego, let's get you freshened up first before we have dinner, hmm?" I called out to my toddler as we entered my apartment. We had just returned from my office after the day's work. It was already evening, past 6, to be exact.Diego was still clad in his school uniform, with a few buttons undone and his hair all tousled—he basically looked a bit scruffy since he had been playing in my office earlier after I picked him up from school.I genuinely felt grateful to see him lively; it was a welcome change from a few weeks prior when he had been lying on a hospital bed, looking frail and sick. His current energy was a stark contrast to that time. I guess I really do owe it to Sebastian for bringing back my healthy boy—he had been the one who paid for his surgery. I couldn't even express my gratitude enough, even if I wanted to."Coming, Mom!" he shouted back excitedly, kicking off his shoes before scampering across the room to join me. I tossed his backpack, which I h
My brows furrowed in a frown as my gaze trailed from pale Kristine to Mia. What was this about? I had witnessed the color drain from Kristine the moment Mia revealed something happened at her school the prior day, and now my curiosity was piqued. What happened? And why did it provoke that reaction from Kristine?"What happened, baby?" I asked Mia, my tone questioning yet tender.She was about to respond when Kristine cleared her throat noisily, interrupting her. "Okay, Mia, that's enough. Get inside and go wait for me in the bathroom."My frown deepened, and my gaze darted to Kristine. "Baby?" I arched my brows in demand. "What are you not telling me?"She made a nervous swallow despite her efforts to remain composed. She averted her gaze and shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."I huffed. "You do realize you're a terrible liar, don't you?" I urged, "Look at me."She didn't.Knowing Kristine wouldn't be the one to quell my curiosity, I returned my focus to Mia. I encoura