Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1:

[Neshara Point of View]

Six years ago, I knelt once for Sebastian Rocc. Wrapped my arms around his legs, soaked his pants with my tears and begged him to have mercy on our unborn child. 

He told me to stand up and cruelly whispered what he’d do if I chose to give birth to our baby. 

I kept the baby. I never knelt again. 

SIX YEARS LATER

“Come on, Nesh.” Agnes, my boss, smiled at me when I poked my head through her office door. 

We’d just come out of an all-hands meeting —every employee at MedBrain gathered to hear the news about the new owner. Everyone was bummed. I was more than bummed. MedBrain was the only company that accepted me when I was at my lowest point. 

Agnes hired me even though I hadn't finished college and was promoted all the way to head of marketing. 

“What’s up, Madame?” I noticed her personal things were already gone.

“The new owner of MedBrain will be here anytime today.” 

“The Marketing team is ready if—” 

“No, no.” She waved me off. “Not about that, Nesh. The new CEO doesn’t have a secretary yet so I recommended you.” 

“But I am the head of Marketing.” 

“It’s temporary. Just until he hires someone permanent. He's a very busy man, running their own business too. You’re resourceful, hardworking, and you keep up with everyone here, degree or not. I’ve seen what you can do.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“Look, Nesh. I never wanted to sell because my parents built this company from nothing. But my son’s been overseas for years now, with a family I barely see.”

The longing on her face was unmistakable. I knew that feeling all too well.

“So I made a deal. The corporation will take care of everything under new leadership. I just don’t want the CEO to be disappointed. I’m doing my best to leave things in order before I go.”

Then Agnes told me the salary. 

My brain kicked into overdrive, calculating, budgeting, figuring out exactly where every dollar would go. Savings for my baby boy, Sevi’s education and a better cushion for emergencies. 

“The salary is triple what you’re making now. A solid six figures is a good start for Sevi’s school fund. Don’t you agree?”

I hugged the folder in my arms and grinned. “When do I start?” 

Agnes laughed. “Right now. You’re coming with me to the lobby to welcome the new owner. They’re pulling into the parking lot as we speak.” 

I followed Agnes in a slight panic, smoothing my hair to look as presentable as possible. We had wrapped up so much work in marketing earlier that I looked a little haggard. The department heads were lined up, with the rest of the employees behind them.

I signaled to Arnaiz — head of finance — that I was with Agnes, and he pointed to the spot next to him. I wasn't paying attention and almost face-planted into my boss's back.

“Welcome to MedBrain, Mr. Sebastian Rocc!” 

My eyes snapped up. It felt like I was seeing a ghost the moment I got a clear look at him. My hands clenched into fists as I met Sebastian’s cold green eyes. 

“This is Neshara Mijares,” Agnes said. “She’ll be your temporary secretary.” 

My boss gave me a subtle elbow when my eyes stayed locked on Sebastian, who was staring back at me with an icy expression.

“H-Hello, Sir.” My smile was so fake it nearly cracked my jaw to hold back the anger rising in my chest.

He walked right past me like I was a stranger when Ms. Agnes invited him to meet the other department heads.

My blood was boiling. I said I never knelt again. But standing in front of him? That was its own kind of hell. 

“I want to see my office,” Sebastian said in emotionless, flat voice. 

“Sure, Mr. Rocc.” Agness glanced at me and motioned for me to follow. 

I was already drafting my resignation in my head. There was no way I could exist in the same building as my ex-boyfriend who mercilessly told me to get rid of our child. 

Six years. Six years had passed and the anger and fear were still in my system. 

His office was the biggest room in the building. Right next to the door was a small station set up for his secretary. For me, apparently. 

“My lawyer already sent the copy of the contract and the requests I made,” Ms. Agnes said as she sat in the visitor’s chair.

Sebastian looked every bit the boss as he took his seat behind the desk. He only nodded at Agnes and changed the subject. He literally cut her off when she tried to bring up the favors she had asked for.

“I’ll just get you some coffee,” I said, excusing myself.

I didn’t wait for either of them to answer before I turned away. In my head I was already picturing myself spiking that demon’s drink with poison.

I made it to the comfort room before my body gave out. Tears flooded both cheeks as my chest started to tighten.

All the things I had suffered after he dumped me came rushing back like a violent flood. 

***

“Seb, I know you’re just playing. Leave her now.” 

I had slowed down when I heard Lolita’s voice coming from the stairwell. She’s the woman who likes Sebastian so much that she almost ruined us before.

“I know you’d never actually go for a cheap girl like Nesahara. She has no class, nothing compared to me. And now? She’s a murderer. Your mom could be dead for all we know.” 

“My mother is not going to die!” 

I flinched. 

"I-I was just saying it could happen. D-Don't be mad at me. I'm not the one who pushed her."

"Fuck!"

"Seb—"

They went silent so I pushed the door open just enough to see. My eyes burned and I couldn't move when I saw their lips locked.

"S-Sebastian…"

He went still the moment he heard me but that was just for a second. I expected him to push her away like he always did to every girl that made me jealous.

"W-What is this?"

"You saw what we did," he answered coldly.

My chest tightened when he guided Lolita past like she was something he wanted to protect. The other woman grinned at me mockingly.

"Seb…" I went after him. My voice was already cracking. Every part of me was screaming to run, slap him, be the one who walks away first but I am carrying a child.

"Seb…"

I desperately grabbed his hand and forced him to face me. "What was that?"

"You're not blind, are you?"

"I'm your girlfriend."

"Let's break up then. This was never serious."

"Y-You can't do this." My voice broke. Why was he doing this to me?

Where was the Sebastian who promised he'd never abandon me? Who said he'd take responsibility if I ever got pregnant because he was the one who didn't want to use condom when we had s ex?

"Let's end this." His voice was impatient now.

"No!"

"Stop being desperate!" He snapped right in my face. "What part don't you understand? You were good in bed but Lolita's better. You hear me?"

I pressed my hand against my still-flat stomach.

"I'm pregnant." I couldn't hold back the sob when his expression didn't change a bit.

"Get rid of it."

"Sebastian—"

"You heard me!" he snapped again, angrier this time.

"T-This is your baby…"

"Yours," he corrected. His jaw tightened when his eyes dropped to my hand on my stomach. "Get rid of it unless you want me to take everything out on that kid."

"I-I didn't push your mother."

He grabbed my arm harsh that I cried out. "Who's going to believe you? The maid saw you pushed her. Shi!t! I never should have gotten involved with you. Maybe Mom wouldn't be in that room."

I shook my head multiple times, crying. Swallowed whatever was left of my dignity. I dropped on my knees slowly and wrapped my arms around his legs.

"Please, don't do this. Have mercy on our child."

I love him so much it made me stupid. The thought of him erasing me completely was stealing the air from my lungs. I could raise a child alone. 

"Please even just for the baby. Don't turn your back on us."

My face was soaked when I looked up at him, begging.

"Get up! Crying won't work on me. For all I know that baby isn't even mine."

"It is. Please believe me. Please. It's yours."

"Stand up!"

When I shook my head again, he reached down and held my face in both hands. His empty cold eyes met mine. This wasn't the Sebastian I loved but a stranger.

"If anything happens to my mother, I will never forgive you," his voice dropped dangerously. "And if you keep that baby—"

He leaned closer. My soul left my body at the next words he whispered against my ear.

"I'll choke it to death then, I'll come for you."

***

I thought the anxiety attacks I had been fighting these past few years whenever those dark times resurfaced wouldn’t come back. But one look at him and it all came rushing back. I clutched my chest as I fought for air. I slid down to the marble floor. My hands and feet were going numb.

My vision started spinning. My back hit the cold bathroom wall. Then the floor.

I heard the door slam open just before everything went black.