LOGINThe whole floor where the engineering and architectural teams stayed was quiet. There was no trace of noise except for the soft sound of keyboards and the gentle voice of the HR Manager, Katrina, as she showed Solana around the large office."So, Solana, just like Sir Rafael briefed you, you will serve as the lead structural engineer for this whole project," Katrina explained with a smile as they walked."I will introduce you first to the whole junior team and the resident architects before you go straight to the executive suite.""Thank you very much, Ms. Katrina," Solana answered. She forced her voice to be steady, even though with every step, it felt like a heavy stone was pressing on her chest. She held her leather folder tightly. Katrina stood in the middle of the open-plan office and clapped two times to get everyone's attention."Good morning, everyone! Attention please," the HR Manager said."I want to introduce to you our new lead structural engineer for the Manila Coastal In
I calmly told Rafael to use the restroom before we left the restaurant. I needed a few minutes away from them, a few minutes to breathe and fix myself up after the confusing tension at the table. After using the restroom, I retouched my makeup and adjusted my clothes. When I made sure I looked presentable, I went out.But the moment I turned the doorknob and stepped out of the bathroom, a strong arm suddenly grabbed my arm.I gasped in surprise, but before I could even speak, he quickly pulled me to the side and leaned me against an empty corner next to the wall, far from the view of the people and the dining area.He pressed his body against mine, making the hair on my skin stand up from the familiar feeling of Henry’s skin.“What the! Let me go, who are you, bastard?!”His jaw tightened, and his eyes seemed to be burning with anger. I wasn't able to finish what I was going to say because he held me tightly by the waist and brought his face so close to mine that I almost went cross-ey
THE NEXT DAY, Henry entered the executive boardroom for a very important partnership meeting. His company was set to join forces with Vandel Construction and Engineering Firm for a multi-billion infrastructure project in Luzon.Henry stood at the end of the long glass conference table, formally and emotionlessly adjusting his cufflinks while his executive secretary and board members surrounded him. His aura was cold, just as everyone was used to.The large boardroom door opened, and the CEO of Vandel Group walked in—Rafael Vandel, his former college classmate from Ateneo who now had his own successful business."Henry! It’s good to see you again, man," Rafael greeted cheerfully as he walked quickly toward him and shook his hand. Rafael was with a woman, but she stayed behind him, so Henry didn't notice her much and didn't really care."It’s been five years. The whole country has really been looking up to you.""Rafael," Henry responded coldly but formally, giving a short nod. "Glad to
AS THE SUN slowly sets and darkness covers the sky, the tall buildings in the center of the district light up one by one. But on the highest floor of the Del Carmen Enterprises tower, only the light coming from the large glass window and the cold glow of a laptop screen brighten the office.Henry is sitting in his swivel chair, leaning back while his right hand keeps clicking his pen. His eyes, showing no trace of emotion are focused on the documents of a billion-peso contract that he needs to sign before the night ends.Five long years have passed since his father died and he officially took over the entire Del Carmen assets. During those five years, Henry did nothing but bury himself in work. He made the once successful company grow and expand even more. Under his iron rule, Del Carmen Enterprises reached the peak of success, making him the second richest and most powerful businessman in the Philippines.The business world admired and feared him. He was known as a merciless man towa
The days passed like a long dream from which I could not wake up. Even until now, I am still staring blankly into space. After Freddie's cremation and quick burial, I was left with a deafening kind of silence—a silence that suffocates my system every single second. I often sit by the window of my room, staring at the vast garden that has been completely neglected since the housemaids all left. I long for Freddie. I miss his voice, his advice, and the protection he gave me even in the final moments of his life. He was the only one who knew my secret. But despite mourning my elderly husband, there is a part of my heart that cannot help but rebel. My confused heart, with every beat, screams nothing but Henry’s name.I want so badly to see him. I want to feel his presence, even if his eyes are cold or his words are full of insults and sarcasm. Maybe this is also due to my pregnancy, this intense longing for the father of the child I am carrying. These past few days have been incredibly di
Two more weeks passed, and I forced myself to bury the pain and jealousy I felt the night Henry brought Mathilda to the mansion. I shifted all my focus to my studies and the growing life inside my womb. I carried the heavy burden of a secret that only Freddie and I knew, a sacrifice my old husband made to protect me and keep the fragile peace of this family.I sat in the middle row, staring at the whiteboard with a pen in my hand. Henry stood at the front of the room. His face was serious as he explained a formula."In designing these structures, we must always calculate the maximum load. A single miscalculation can cause the whole foundation to crumble," he said seriously, completely focused on teaching. For a brief second, our eyes met. But just like it had been for the past month, he quickly looked away.I secretly touched my stomach under the desk."A single miscalculation can cause the whole foundation to crumble." He was right. If he found out the truth, everything would collapse
I had just arrived from an exhausting flight from Europe, but all my drowsiness vanished the moment I was greeted by news I never expected. I stood before the desk of Roberto, my father’s lawyer and best friend.Laid out in the middle of the desk was my father's testament. The document felt like a m
Moan for me, Mom! Let your husband hear how much pleasure you're feeling while I'm pounding you, harder!”Henry, my stepson, was on top of me, pounding on me, while right beside us lay my dying husband. I knew my husband could hear us, but Henry was wild, vulgar, and somewhat sadistic. It was as if
I ran toward the mansion without looking back, carrying my shattered dignity and a fear that felt as if it would be etched into my heart forever.Meanwhile, Henry was left behind like a lion robbed of its prey. He could feel the intense tension in his jaw. Most of all, he felt a sharp ache in his gr
The surroundings of the mansion were already cloaked in darkness, with only the large bulbs hanging in every corner of the garden providing a sliver of light. I carried a bowl of food for the dog, Bruno. Despite being exhausted from a full day of tending to Don Freddie, I never forgot to feed my hus







