Chapter 3:

Kacee's knees weakened the moment she stepped back into her office.

This can’t be happening!

Her hands trembled as she looked once more at the blue portfolio she was holding. She read the name printed on it over and over again — and stared at the small 2x2 photo attached inside.

She couldn’t understand why, after all these years, the past was suddenly haunting her again. Why did he have to come back now?

Her heart pounded painfully in her chest as memories she had long buried began to resurface — memories she thought she had already forgotten.

That day… the very first time she saw him again — a day she never expected would happen. A day she never even wished for.

Two Months Ago…

Kacee and Briana filled their plates from the buffet — beef caldereta, lumpiang shanghai, fish fillet, chop suey, and a little rice. They were attending a party hosted by one of the friends of Briana’s husband, Zairus. Kacee didn’t really know most of Zairus’s friends; she was simply there because Briana had asked her to come along.

From the moment they arrived at the venue, however, Kacee couldn’t shake off a strange nervous feeling. She didn’t even understand why she suddenly felt that way.

“You’re here,” greeted Manuel as he approached Briana.

“Uhm… oh, h-hi,” Briana replied, sounding a bit flustered.

Kacee cleared her throat lightly and excused herself.

“I’ll just look for a table. I’ll take your food with me,” she said, picking up both their plates.

After scanning the room, she spotted a small table for two and quickly walked over to it. She sat down and glanced toward Briana, who was still talking with Manuel. Kacee couldn’t help but shake her head at how complicated their love story was.

She had known them both for a long time — and she knew they had liked each other for years. They just never got the chance to confess or give their feelings a real shot.

Now, she couldn’t help but wonder how their story would end. Would they ever choose to follow their hearts, even though Briana was already married to someone else?

Well, she did know that Briana’s marriage to Zairus was nothing more than an arrangement. But still, no matter what kind of arrangement it was, it was a legal marriage — and they lived under the same roof.

Kacee's eyes wandered around the place, taking in the festive atmosphere and the people enjoying the welcome party — though she wasn’t entirely sure whom it was for.

A few moments later, she heard the sound of a car arriving. Her seat was near the gate, so she had a clear view of the vehicle that had just pulled in. For some reason, that strange feeling in her chest returned — a nervous flutter she couldn’t quite explain.

She shook her head, brushing the thought away. Then she noticed Briana walking toward her, but she wasn’t alone. Beside her was Manuel, followed closely by Zairus and another woman.

“Oh, hey, guys,” Kacee greeted them. “Uh, sorry, this table’s only for two. You can sit over there instead. I actually got this table for Briana and me.”

“Let’s go, Zai,” said the woman with a rather sassy tone before taking a seat at the nearby table. Zairus followed her.

That must be Zairus’s girlfriend, Kacee thought, rolling her eyes slightly.

“What about you?” she asked Manuel, who still hadn’t left their table.

“I’m fine. Don’t mind me,” he replied calmly.

“Are you sure?” she pressed.

Manuel smiled and nodded in assurance.

“Okay,” Kacee said, finally letting it go before taking a bite of her food. She had been hungry for quite a while now.

Briana sat beside Kacee just as someone took the microphone on stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s all welcome Ryan Dyllan.”

Kacee nearly choked upon hearing the name. Applause erupted across the venue, but her chest tightened the moment a tall, handsome man stepped onto the stage.

Her gaze instantly locked on him, and her vision blurred as her eyes welled with tears. Her lips parted in shock, and her breathing grew shallow under the crushing weight in her chest.

A sweet, familiar smile curved on his lips — a smile that shattered her heart piece by piece.

“Thank you, guys. I really appreciate the effort. Especially you, Rica — I heard this was your idea,” he said.

And with that, everything became clear.

It was really him.

The smile, the voice — she would never forget them, no matter how desperately she had tried to erase them from her memory.

Before her tears could fall, Kacee stood up and hurriedly left the venue. Her knees were trembling, and her chest felt painfully tight, but she forced herself to stay strong just long enough to escape.

The moment she stepped outside, her tears finally fell. She had never once wished to see him again. So why now? Why did this day have to come? Out of all the people she could have run into, why did it have to be him?

She kept walking aimlessly, tears streaming down her face, until she failed to notice an approaching car. The screech of brakes jolted her, and she stumbled to the ground in shock.

A man rushed out of the vehicle, clearly alarmed, and immediately knelt beside her.

“Miss, are you okay?” he asked anxiously.

She gave a faint nod. The man noticed a small scrape on her knee and gently held it.

“I’ll take you to the hospital—”

“No, I’m okay,” she interrupted firmly.

Kacee tried to stand, but the man instinctively reached out to steady her.

“I’m really sorry, Miss,” he said apologetically.

She ignored him and began to walk away, wanting nothing more than to be alone.

“Miss, wait!” he called, catching her by the arm.

“I said I’m okay. Please, just leave me alone,” she snapped, pulling her arm free from his grip.

Fortunately, a taxi passed by just then. She quickly hailed it and got inside.

“Where are we headed, miss?” the driver asked.

“Heaven’s Park Cemetery,” she replied softly.

The driver nodded and started the engine, while Kacee leaned back against the seat — tears silently continuing to fall.

Her phone rang, and Briana’s name appeared on the screen. She was certain her best friend was already looking for her by now. She hadn’t been able to say goodbye earlier, too overwhelmed by the emotions she was currently battling. She wanted to answer the call, but she felt too weak—too broken—to face anyone at the moment.

Tears once again streamed down her cheeks, and the pain in her chest intensified. Fate was so cruel to her. Why did it allow her to see that man again?

Slowly, anger began to rise within her, especially when, moments later, the taxi stopped in front of Heaven’s Park Cemetery.

She walked toward her father’s grave, and the tears came pouring down again. If it weren’t for that man, her father would still be alive. If it weren’t for him, her family would still be whole. If it weren’t for him, her mother wouldn’t have left her—wouldn’t have chosen another family over her.

All the pain and sorrow she had endured were because of him. He had made her life miserable, while he continued to live happily, as if he hadn’t destroyed someone else’s world.

“I’m so sorry, Daddy,” she sobbed in front of his grave. “I wish it had been me who disappeared that night instead of you. I wish it had been me, not you. I was a terrible daughter because… because I disobeyed you. I didn’t know that by going against you, I would put you in danger and lose you forever.”

The tears kept falling, and her heart continued to break into pieces.

“Daddy… please forgive me. I’m so sorry,” she cried out, her voice breaking with anguish.

If only she could turn back time, she would fix everything. She would never allow herself to be deceived by that man again.

But no matter what she did, she knew the past was already gone. There was nothing she could do to bring it back—only regret would remain to haunt her for the rest of her life.

Present…

She snapped out of her thoughts when a soft knock came from her office door. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself before speaking.

“Come in,” she said, and the door opened to reveal Mikay.

“Hey, Kacee! Let’s go out for lunch,” Mikay invited cheerfully.

Kacee glanced at the time on her computer and realized she hadn’t even noticed that it was already lunchtime.

“You guys go ahead. I’m still full,” she replied.

“Huh? Full? Didn’t you get hungry after your presentation earlier?” Mikay asked as she plopped down in the chair across from her.

“Not really. Besides, Chairman Emman gave me a lot more tasks to finish,” she explained.

“Oh, Kacee,” Mikay sighed dramatically. “I really admire you for lasting this long as the chairman’s secretary, but please don’t overwork yourself.”

“I’m fine, Mikay. Besides, I enjoy doing my job,” Kacee answered with a faint smile.

“Ugh, that’s exactly why you still don’t have a boyfriend!” Mikay teased. “You’re not getting any younger, you know. You should at least give some guys a chance—”

“Mikay,” Kacee cut her off sharply. “You know me. I’ll never have time for men.”

“Oh, please! You’re just saying that now,” Mikay said, laughing. “But once Cupid hits you, you’ll eat those words.” She giggled, then leaned forward with a mischievous grin. “By the way, I heard that Mr. Anthony Dyllan—the director and acting CEO of Real Estate Land—is super handsome.”

“He’s... fine,” Kacee replied flatly.

“But you know what? I heard an even juicier rumor,” Mikay whispered, leaning closer.

“What is it this time?” Kacee asked, sighing.

“They say Mr. Anthony’s younger brother is even more handsome,” she said in a hushed, giddy tone. “A total hunk—and a famous architect. His name’s Mr. Ryan Dyllan.”

At that, Kacee's eyes closed tightly, and she drew in a deep, heavy breath.