2

Gray arrived at Hacienda Esperanza a day before Don Sergio’s burial. His stepbrothers, Diego and Javier Andrade, were already there. Diego, the eldest, managed the farm, while Javier, the second son, worked as a pilot.

“Grayson, I’m glad you made it,” Diego greeted him with a warm hug. He was seven years older and had always treated Gray like a real brother, just like their father did.

“I couldn’t miss this, bro. It’s dad’s last day with us. The hospital can wait,” Gray said, referring to the medical facility he built in Seattle.

Diego gave his shoulder a firm pat. “I know. I missed you, little bro. You should stay for a bit. Tita Pat’s been asking about you.” He was referring to Patricia Andrade, Gray’s mother.

Gray turned to his other brother, standing quietly beside Diego with arms crossed over his chest. Javier Andrade was always the silent type. They weren’t that close, but Gray knew he was a good guy—just not very expressive and definitely the quietest of them all.

Javier gave him a slight nod. Gray returned it. His brother’s shoulder-length hair and thick beard surprised him. Gray wondered when and why Javier decided to go for that look.

“Grayson, hijo! I’m so happy you’re here!” Their attention shifted to his mother, who had just stepped out of the mansion.

Patricia Andrade looked stunning in a sleek black dress with a low-cut back, showing off flawless skin. She wore black sunglasses, making her look way younger than her sixty years.

She rushed toward her only son and wrapped him in a tight hug.

Gray hugged her back. He missed his mom, especially her loud mouth.

“How are you, mom?”

She pulled back and looked up at him.

Her happy face suddenly fell. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Gray quickly hugged her again.

Despite the age gap between her and Sergio, she had truly loved him. Her feelings for the late Don were genuine.

“I still can’t believe he’s gone. I miss him,” she whispered, wiping a tear from her cheek.

Gray gently patted her back. It was all he could do to comfort her. He, too, was hurting. Sergio had treated him like a real son. That old man played a major role in his life.

Sergio Andrade was buried next to his first wife on the Andrade family estate. The sky turned gray, as if mourning the loss of a good man.

The entire town came to pay respects. Sergio had been known for his fairness, even to the poor. He was deeply loved by the people—always a helping hand to those in need.

After the ceremony, the brothers agreed to catch up over drinks. They headed back to the mansion. Gray thought about staying for a while. He had people running the hospital, so a month-long break seemed doable.

“How are you and Tiff? Haven’t heard from you in ages,” Diego asked, sipping his cold beer. “Last I heard, you were planning to propose.”

They were seated in the mansion’s gazebo, the garden lit by soft lamps. The three brothers sat around a small table loaded with drinks and food.

Hearing his ex-fiancée’s name made Gray’s mood shift. His brothers didn’t know they’d broken up. He didn’t want to remember her. She was the reason for his suffering.

“We broke up. She wasn’t worth it,” he said bitterly.

Diego was surprised. Grayson had been head over heels for Tiffany. What could’ve gone so wrong? But he didn’t press. It wasn’t his place.

“Alright, let’s drink to that—Grayson’s broken heart, and Javier’s untouched one,” Diego laughed, raising his bottle. The others followed. Among the three, only Javier had never had a girlfriend.

Gray shook his head while Javier rolled his eyes at the joke.

Gray downed his beer, the bitterness sliding down his throat like the bitterness of his memories. He hated remembering. It took a huge toll on him—mind and body. He despised his ex.

As the night deepened, the trio got louder, clearly tipsy.

Gray lost track of everything around him, laughing at Diego’s jokes. Even Javier loosened up, chuckling along.

But then something distracted him—a scent. Sweet, fresh, and intoxicating. It hit him like a wave, sending chills through his body.

His vision was blurry, but he could make out a woman placing food on their table. One of the maids, probably sent by Diego. He couldn’t see her face, just her back, but he knew—the scent was hers.

And something stirred.

For the first time in a year of suffering from erectile dysfunction, he felt a tingling. A twitch.

He checked. Sure enough—it was slightly hard. Because of that scent.

On impulse, Gray stood up and followed her. His brothers called out, but he ignored them. He was dizzy and everything was spinning, but he couldn’t fight the pull. His body was screaming with need.

He wasn’t going to let this chance slip by.

She walked into the kitchen, and he followed.

Most of the lights inside the mansion were off—staff had retired for the night.

He staggered down the hallway, heart pounding. He needed to know who she was. She might be the key to fixing him.

He found her at the sink, back turned, rinsing something.

Without thinking, he walked up and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

The woman gasped as strong arms suddenly wrapped around her petite body. What shocked her even more was the hard thing poking her back. Her eyes widened in surprise.

She knew what it was. She wasn’t that innocent.

She gave a startled yelp when he buried his face into her neck, his beard scraping her skin and sending a strange thrill down her spine.

“What the?

She was about to push him off when he suddenly loosened his grip.

Grayson dropped to the cold kitchen floor—out cold, but with a very alert manhood standing at full attention.