Chapter 1: The Betrayal

Along with the heavy downpour that drenched the city that day were Irene’s unending tears as she stood trial inside the courtroom.

She and Dave Montecillo had been together for four years before they decided to marry. She thought the love he had shown her was genuine, that it was the kind of love that would last forever. She believed that once they were married, happiness would follow, and every storm would finally come to rest.

But on the very day of their wedding, it was Dave himself who betrayed her, handing her over to the police, choosing to believe the lies spun by his stepsister, Sandra.

In the silence of the sacred courtroom, the sharp echo of the gavel resounded, marking a moment of unbearable tension.

“Irene Casareo, you stand accused of stealing jewelry belonging to Doña Natividad Montecillo, valued at approximately one million pesos. Do you plead guilty or not guilty?”

Irene’s swollen, reddened eyes burned with rage and desperation as she glared at Dave. A bitter smile escaped her lips.

The Montecillos were one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the country. No one would dare challenge them, especially for the sake of someone as poor as she was.

“I have nothing to say,” Irene whispered, every word heavy with defiance.

Once, she thought Dave was God’s gift to her—the man who would love and protect her for the rest of her life. But fate revealed the cruelest truth: he had been secretly involved with his stepsister Sandra. Together, they had set her up, pretending to entrust her with the heirlooms of their late mother, only to later accuse her of theft.

There was no evil darker than theirs.

No heart more merciless.

What else was there left to say? She knew that no matter how she tried to defend herself, the verdict had already been written.

The judge struck his gavel once more, his voice cutting through the heavy air.

“This court finds the accused, Irene Casareo, guilty. She is hereby sentenced to eight years in prison and fined five hundred thousand pesos.”

When the trial ended, the officers immediately escorted Irene, ready to take her behind bars.

As she was led out of the courtroom, Irene turned one last time to look at Dave, seated proudly in the plaintiff’s chair. Her eyes burned like fire, fueled by the kind of hatred and fury that could never be extinguished.

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Three long years had slowly passed since Irene was imprisoned.

“Irene Casareo, someone has posted your bail. You’re free to go.”

When she heard that, she immediately lifted her head, her pale face drenched in shock.

After enduring endless torment behind bars for three years, she had resigned herself to serving the full eight-year sentence. She never expected to be released early.

An hour after she walked out of the prison, a car took her to the hospital.

She entered a ward, and her heart clenched when she saw her mother, Aling Lourdes, through the thin glass window of the ICU. She lay motionless on the hospital bed. Her face was ashen and machines were attached to her body. To the eye, she seemed already gone.

“Mom…” Irene couldn’t hold back her tears. Her voice trembled with raw emotion. She wanted nothing more than to run inside, to hold and kiss her mother.

“Stop right there, Irene! This ward is secured — you can’t just walk in without my permission.” A woman’s voice echoed sharply from behind her.

When Irene turned, she was stunned to see who had spoken. “S-Sandra? My mother hasn’t had contact with you in a long time. Why are you doing this to her?” she demanded, her eyes burning with hatred as she stared at Sandra.

When Sandra looked at her, jealousy and malice flickered in her gaze. Then she smiled.

“You’re mistaken, Irene. Can’t you see I’m saving her life? If it weren’t for me, your mother would’ve been long dead. If not for me, you might’ve found her in a grave by now.”

Irene drew a deep breath to steady herself. “Don’t be a hypocrite, Sandra. You’re saving my mother? Only fools would believe that. What are you really trying to do? Or are you using her to manipulate me, is that it?”

“You really are clever, Irene. No wonder you graduated magna cum laude in our batch. But pity—you’re ruined now because you have a conviction. For the moment, your fate is in my hands.” Sandra teased. “So tonight you will keep Rigor Buenaflor company. After that, I’ll give you a place to stay and I’ll continue your mother’s treatment.”

“Rigor Buenaflor? That old lecher? Are you insane?” Irene’s eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn’t accept what Sandra was saying.

“Oh, and what of it? Why should that be my problem? You’ll lie beside that old man — not me. Just spend one night with him, and my family’s arms deal will be secured. It’s a massive business. You should be grateful: you’ll sell your body for stacks of cash for our family. But if you refuse…” Sandra pointed to the ICU. “I’ll have your mother taken off life support and she’ll die slowly before your eyes. I’ll give you five seconds to decide. Five… four… three…”

“Okay! Fine!” Irene agreed, desperate. Tears flooded down her face. She had no choice. For her mother’s life, she would do it.

After their conversation, she fixed herself up. Then she was ushered into a black car.

She had to accept her fate. Tonight she was destined to lie with a lecherous old man and surrender the virginity she had guarded so carefully.