I grabbed a large suitcase and packed my belongings. I took my car keys before leaving my room. As I opened the door, I saw Daddy standing by the side."Caroline, let's talk first. Don't leaveโ""We have nothing to talk about, Dad. You lied to me. You made me a fool!" I yelled, dragging my suitcase down the stairs. Daddy followed me. I quickened my pace. "What reason do I have to stay in this house, Dad? Mommy is furious with me. I don't want to add to her problems."I caught Cecile in the living room. She was watching TV, and her smile stretched from ear to ear when she saw my large suitcase."Want me to see you out?" she asked sarcastically."That's enough, Cecile! Don't talk to your sister like that!" Daddy scolded her."Why, Dad? She's the one who wants to leave the house. We're not kicking her out. But it's good that she's leaving so there will be fewer people to feed." She rolled her eyes.I smiled. My whole life, I've been trying to get their attention. Now she calls me a freel
I stayed in my room all day. I wanted to be alone, so I told Miguel to go grocery shop for food.I opened my social media accounts, hoping my friends had unblocked me. My shoulders slumped when I saw that I was still blocked in their social media accounts.I created a new account. I followed them all and immediately sent them messages. I placed my phone on the table after I sent them messages on their respective social media accounts.I continued sipping the warm soup Miguel cooked. Heโs a good cook. It was like I was eating at an expensive restaurant. I looked at the rice Miguel put on my plate earlier. I swallowed when I finished it all. It was the first time I ate that much rice again.I picked up my phone when I noticed someone was calling. I smiled with joy when I saw Averyโs name. I quickly answered it."Hello, Ave!" I tried to adjust my voice so she wouldnโt notice I had been crying. "Ave? Avery? Are you there?" I asked when she didnโt answer.I heard her clear her throat on th
I wanted to go with him to ease the problems I was thinking about. But I immediately changed my mind when I heard Love Reinโs name again.โLove Rein was asking what your favorite foods are. She plans to visit here.โ Miguel sat on the floor.I closed my eyes before facing him. I forced a smile. โDid you tell her where Iโm living now?โMiguel nodded. โShe wants to be friends with you. Thereโs nothing wrong with that, I think -โโI need some privacy, Miguel! It would help if you hadnโt told her where I live. Why are you so impulsive? You didnโt even ask me if I wanted to be friends with her or not. I know youโre friends with her. You two have a history, especially since you have feelings for each other. Youโre friends with her, Miguel. Iโm not. You shouldnโt have told her where I live!โโI told her the address of your house, Caroline. I didnโt tell her youโre living in the condo,โ said Miguel. I covered my mouth. โI wonโt force you to be friends with her if you donโt want to.โ He stood u
I excitedly entered my room. I searched for clothes in my suitcase that I could wear. I found a black strapless silk dress. I looked at myself in the big mirror. After I got dressed, I put on light makeup just enough so that the swelling of my eyes wouldnโt be noticeable.โIโm done!โ I announced when I came out of my room. I furrowed my brow when I saw what Miguel was wearing. โWeโre going to a bar.โHe was wearing a black suit and black pants. In his outfit, he looked like a mafia boss, and he became even more handsome.โI donโt have anything else to wear, Caroline. Youโre the only one whoโs going to drink. Iโm your bodyguard. Iโll watch over you while youโre partying,โ he said gruffly.Sometimes I wonder if he works for my family. Since we became close, our way of addressing each other became casual. I can also show myself to him, the real me.He opened the car door for me. I immediately got in. I looked at myself in the mirror. I adjusted my eyeliner and eyeshadow.โFasten your sea
A man approached Miguel and put his hand on his shoulder.โI donโt care if youโre her date,โ the man said, glancing at me. โIโm going to teach him a lesson!โMy eyes widened as the man suddenly punched Miguel. But Miguel quickly dodged the punch, sending the man sprawling to the ground. I got out of the car and pulled Miguel away from the man.A few men approached us, presumably the manโs friends. They helped him to his feet.โLet me go!โ the man yelled angrily and kicked the men helping him up.โDrake, thatโs enough. Youโre drunk. Donโt start any trouble!โ shouted a man with dark skin and curly hair.โIโm going to teach that woman a lesson! How dare she call me a b-โ He didnโt finish his sentence before he threw up.โLetโs just take him home. Heโs drunk,โ said one of his companions, who had slanted eyes. He looked at us. โGuys, please excuse our friend. He doesnโt know how to control himself when heโs drunk. We are sorry for the inconvenience.โMiguel just nodded. He put his arm arou
The dark-skinned woman rolled her eyes. She looked me up and down again. I didnโt back down. I stared at her too. She was beautiful. Her skin wasnโt dirty at all. I just wanted to tease her. She had large breasts and a beautiful body curve.โCaroline?โWe all turned when I heard Amiraโs voice. My eyes widened when I saw what she was wearing. Her breasts were almost spilling out of her strapless dress. She walked towards us, holding a drink.โHow are you? When will you revisit Michelle?โ Amira asked. I swallowed when she suddenly hugged me.โYou know each other?โ asked the three women. Their eyes shifted between me and Amira.โYes. Sheโs Miguelโs friend. Sheโs also the daughter of Miguelโs boss,โ Amira answered. Amiraโs forehead furrowed when she noticed the expressions on their faces. โWhy are you looking like that? You look like the world has ended.โโYouโre friends with this woman?โ asked the woman with short hair. โShe insulted us, Amira. She even called us smelly and said we smell
I smiled and leaned in closer. He tried to kiss me, but I moved away. He tightened his grip on my waist.โDo you want to come to my condo?โ he asked as he danced, pressing his body against mine.I suddenly thought, "I donโt know this guy. I just wanted to have fun, but I didnโt want to go with him."โIโll think about it,โ I answered. I continued dancing. I took his hand off my waist and put it on my shoulder.I was facing away from him as I danced. I stopped dancing when my eyes caught sight of Miguel. He was glaring at me angrily. I rolled my eyes and faced the guy again.โBy the way, whatโs your name?โ I accepted the drink the waiter gave me.โIโm Nico. But you can call me babe.โ He fixed my loose hair.I suddenly laughed at his cheesiness. โNice name, Nico. Iโm Caroline,โ I introduced myself.โLetโs have another glass?โ he asked.I immediately nodded. He pulled me to the bartender. We were given a glass of wine each. I frowned when I tasted it. It tasted different. This was the fir
MIGUEL'S POV "You're just her bodyguard," the guy flirting with Caroline laughed. He tried to touch Caroline's arm, but I quickly grabbed his hand."Don't touch her if you don't want to meet St. Peter," I threatened. I pulled Caroline away from him.Nico smirked. Iโd wanted to punch him since I saw them kissing. I felt betrayed. I knew Caroline wasnโt mine. I confessed my feelings, but that didnโt mean she liked me too.โI can take her to my condo. Caroline and I talked earlier. She wants to go with me,โ he said proudly.My blood boiled with anger even more. I had to control myself because my friend owned this bar. I didnโt want to cause a scene.โIโll take her home. She doesnโt need to go with you. Sheโs drunk, she doesnโt know what sheโs doing and saying.โI gasped when Caroline hugged me. She was smiling while touching my stomach. I waved to Tommy when I caught his eye. He owned this bar.โIs there a problem, Miggy?โ he asked, looking at Nico. โIs this your bossโs son? Seems like
The sadness I felt when Kalix and Iโs DNA test results matched was overwhelming. All my resentment toward the child suddenly disappeared. I became even more determined to win Caroline's heart again. I want to win her back. I will make everything right now that I know we have a child together. It's worth all my suffering. Maybe that's why I'm so crazy about her because we still have a connection to each other. And that connection is our child.I watched Caroline playing with our child. I can't help but laugh every time I remember how I proposed to her. I was so jealous that I couldn't help but propose, even in that situation. I wanted to prove to the world that she was mine. I didnโt care if I was obsessed with her."Slowly, you might get pregnant," I said as she got into the car.She's six months pregnant now. I made sure she would get pregnant right after our wedding. I never expected that we would have triplets. I'm excited to meet our triplets."If you hadn't made me visit you ever
She's happy with someone else now. I can't destroy her family. I just saw her happy with someone else, and suddenly, I got scared. All my courage to take her back has retreated. I feel like if I take her back now, I'll only destroy the family she built."I'm going back to the Philippines. Keep an eye on her. I'll be happy knowing she's in good shape," I told Seb bitterly before turning my back on him.Years passed, and I still couldn't forget her, no matter how many women I dated. I still asked my staff about her life every day. I'm madly in love with her.I helped her family regain popularity and increase their sales. I invested in their company as planned. I found out that her mother owned Brooks Industries. It was written in the last will of Aunt Roxanne's late father, but they had changed the name of the company.I was busy reading reports when Seb suddenly walked into my office. He was panting when he handed me his cellphone."She's back!" he said.My brow furrowed immediately. "
Ever since I saw that secret room in their CR, I've been visiting Cecile almost every day. I've also been more careful about pretending to be interested in her so she doesn't realize I have other plans."Seb, I need your help," I said directly when he answered my call. "Tomorrow night, come with me to Cecile's house. I want to check out the contents of that secret room. Caroline might be there. Itโs up to you how you put their people to sleep."I was determined to see and enter that room. I had a feeling Caroline was there. Maybe they had hidden her inside.When night came, I went straight to Cecileโs house. I had dinner there. While she was busy eating, I secretly slipped a sleeping pill into her juice."How's the food?" she asked, placing her cellphone on the table. She drank her juice."Delicious," I replied sparingly and held her hand. I caressed it and bit my lower lip."Donโt you have anything to do tomorrow?" she asked, drinking the juice again. I smiled when she finished it."
Miguel's POVI am holding her hands as we walk towards Mama's grave. It's been five years since she passed away, but it all still seems like yesterday. Since she disappeared, I've been visiting her almost every day."Why didn't you tell me that Aunt Mary had been dead for a long time?" Caroline asked after arranging the flowers. Kalix lay down on the grass."You never asked," I replied modestly.Caroline sighed and sat down next to me. "Can you tell me what happened?"I stared at her for a moment. She took my hand and played with it."Itโs a long story, Caroline. But to make it shortโbefore she died, she kept looking for you because she wanted to give you your grandfather's last will. Mama thought Aunt Roxanne had been dead for a long time. She left the will before her own brother kidnapped her. When I woke up, Mama was gone. So I promised her I would find you, no matter what happened. But I found your mother first."I could barely move my body when I woke up. I looked around. There w
I glanced inside his room impatiently when I realized he had no plans of letting me in after we escorted Kalix to Don Ernestoโs room.โArenโt you going to let me in?โHe looked pained as he opened the door wider. I frowned, slightly offended that it seemed to hurt him to let me in. I entered the room and sat on the bed. My brows furrowed when I caught him staring at me.โWhy does it seem like youโre forcing yourself to let me in here?โ I couldnโt hide my disappointment.I crossed my arms and walked toward him. He frowned even more as I approached. Even under the dim lights, the way he looked at me revealed how much he was holding something backโsomething he clearly desired. He swallowed and parted his lips to speak, but nothing came out.โMiguel?โ I tried again.I saw how his eyes reluctantly tore away from me. I smirked and stepped closer. I could tell he wanted to back away, but when he saw my smile, he knew Iโd tease him if he did. His lips twitched, and he let me near him.I smile
"I'll take Kalix to the office. We'll have breakfast there too," Miguel said after adjusting his necktie.I peeked at Kalix behind him. He was already dressed."Kalix, stay here. Your dad wonโt be able to work properly if you go with him.""Mommy, I want to go with Dad," Kalix said, rolling his eyes."No. You canโt go with him," I repeated and placed the milk on the table. "Drink your milk.""Drink your milk first, Kalix, so we can go," Miguel said after finishing his coffee."Yes, Dad," Kalix replied. He sat down in front of me, but his gaze remained fixed on Miguel."Miguel, Kalix might distract youโ""He never bothers me, Caroline. He wants to come too," he said coldly.I forced a smile and looked at our son."Donโt be naughty there. Iโll see you later so we can have lunch together.""Kalix and I are eating out. Donโt bother coming to see us, Caroline. And donโt wait for us tonight eitherโwe're going home late because Dad wants to spend time with Kalix. Why donโt you just invite
I took a deep breath after packing up my things. It was past six in the evening, but Miguel still hadnโt called me. The other employees had already gone home. I picked up my cellphone and dialed his number, but it just kept ringing. I ended up texting him that I would take a taxi home to the condo. I couldnโt be late because our son was waiting for me. Kalix wouldnโt eat dinner without me, or without both of us there.I was about to enter the elevator when my cellphone vibrated. I immediately answered when I saw Normaโs name.โMommy, where are you?โ Kalix asked right away.โIโm on my way home, Kal,โ I replied as I pressed the ground floor button.โHurry up, Mom. Iโm hungry,โ Kalix said.โYes, Kalix. If you canโt wait any longer, go ahead and eat first. You might get a stomach ache again. Iโm ending the call now. I love you,โ I said.I looked outside and noticed there were still a lot of people. I wondered why the other employees hadnโt left yet.โGood evening, Maโam Caroline,โ greeted
I buried my face in Miguel's chest after reading Daddy's letter to me. He kept asking for my forgiveness. It felt like a thorn was removed from my heart when I read the words, "I love you," in his letter. He said he only wanted to give me a good future, but he went about it the wrong way. He never considered how I would feel. He regretted giving Cecile more attention. Still, I couldnโt entirely blame him, because neither of us knew the truthโthat Cecile was an illegitimate child. My tears fell even more when I felt Miguel's tight embrace as he gently caressed my back."At last, he saw you before he died, Caroline," Miguel whispered and kissed my hair. "Maybe you were the only one he was waiting for. Now, he can rest peacefully. He wonโt have to suffer anymore. He died knowing you forgave him.""It's hard to accept. I never thought that would be the last time Iโd see him and talk to him. If I had known he would be taken from me so soon, I wouldโve visited him every day..."Miguel sighe
Miguel held my hand as we waited for Cecile, Glenda, and Daddy to arrive. We were at the jail, visiting them. I couldnโt even remember the last time Iโd been hereโIโd been busy helping Mommy at the company, and we were always traveling outside the Philippines. Miguel was also a different kind of person when it came to datesโhe and Kalix were always taking us to other countries. He wouldnโt even let Kalix out of his sight. Sometimes I wondered if he was courting me or our daughter.โTheyโre on their way here, Maโam,โ said the female police officer who assisted us.โAre you okay?โ Miguel asked, gently kissing my hand.I smiled and nodded. โYou shouldnโt have come with me. You canceled all your meetings just for this.โโDonโt worry about it, Baby. That meeting wasnโt important.โโStill, Miguel. You donโt have to be with me all the time. You have your own life too. Some people might think Iโve cast a spell on you or something,โ I joked.โI donโt care what people say, Caroline. Youโre the