LOGINAdeline quickly pushed Matthew with all her strength, and her palm immediately landed on his cheek. The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the quiet surroundings, but this time, her anger could not prevail because Raven suddenly burst into tears while clutching the hem of her dress.“Mama, why did you hurt Mister?” Raven sobbed in protest, wiping her tears with her tiny hand. “Didn’t you say that’s bad? Why did you slap him?”Adeline’s lips trembled. She looked down at her daughter, then turned to Matthew with eyes full of rage and defensiveness.“Leave, Matthew! They aren't your children! They are mine and Marky’s!”A bitter smirk formed on Matthew’s lips as he held his reddened cheek, though he never broke his intense gaze on her.“Are you still going to lie, even in front of the children, Adeline?” the doctor whispered fiercely, his voice trembling with a mix of pain and anger. “Do you really think I’d believe you after all of Marky’s lies claiming your twins died? You can’t hi
He parked his pickup truck on the side of the plaza and quickly got out. Adjusting his polo shirt, he grabbed his medical bag from inside the vehicle once more. Without wasting time, he headed to the covered court, where the rest of the medical team was busy at their posts.Before he could even fully approach Bernard, the latter immediately looked up at him.“Marky called me, bro. He’s looking for Adeline.”Matthew paused and looked over at Adeline. She was busy working.“What did you say?”“Well, I told him the truth. I couldn't very well lie; she’s his wife, after all.”His jaw clenched. He didn't reply and focused on his work.BY AROUND three in the afternoon, the sun began its gradual descent behind the mountains of San Isidro. Though they had been working for hours, the line of patients waiting outside the covered court showed no signs of dwindling. Some of the early arrivals from the morning had already gone home after receiving medication and food, but their spots were quickly
Matthew smiled as he looked in the rear-view mirror of the car. In the back, two children were busy looking out the window, holding their respective paper bags of food from the drive-thru. He quickly parked the pickup truck in a quiet park shaded by trees before turning to face the two."Is it delicious?" Matthew asked as he opened the container of French fries for them."Yes, Mister! This is mine and Raven's favorite, but Mama rarely buys it because we don't have money," Dave said happily, a trace of ketchup still on the side of his lip. Matthew reached for a tissue and gently wipedThe child's face. At that moment, Matthew couldn't help but observe Raven closely, the child who had been so terrified earlier. Now that he had eaten, there was a small smile on his lips as he looked at him."What are your full names, buddy?" Matthew asked gently."I'm Dave! He is Raven!""What's your surname?"The two children looked at each other, seemingly deep in thought. "What's that?"Matthew laughe
By five in the morning, while Punta Catalina Beach Resort was still shrouded in thick darkness and cool fog, the entire team was already busy preparing. In the parking area, buses were lined up for the resident doctors, interns, and nursing staff. Adeline boarded one of them, intentionally choosing a seat at the very back by the window. She wore a black face mask over her face, not just to comply with health protocols, but to hide her swollen, red eyes from crying heavily the night before—she had been weeping even in her sleep. She stared at her reflection in the dark bus window. Her chest still ached, and every memory of Matthew's forceful touch, his kisses, and the confusion in her feelings continued to disrupt her system.On the other side of the parking lot, Dr. Bernard Fuentebella's black pickup truck was parked. He and Matthew were traveling separately in their own vehicle to make movement easier in case of emergencies in distant villages. They were also bringing relief goods fu
Adeline froze and stared blankly as Matthew pressed his lips against hers. It was a kiss full of anger, longing, and intense desire. She immediately fought back, pushing against Matthew's chest and struggling with all her strength to break free from his tight embrace.However, before she could break free or speak or yell at the doctor, the echoing footsteps and laughter of two female nurses outside in the hallway grew closer, clearly heading into the restroom as well.Adeline gasped in severe shock and fear. Before she could react, Matthew took advantage of the moment, quickly and gently leaning her body against the cold wall beside the door, using his tall frame to completely hide and pin her.Fearing they would be caught by their colleagues and cause a major scandal, Adeline froze like a statue. She could not move or even struggle due to the threat of footsteps outside.“Doc Fuentebella is so good! His penis is so big, girl, my throat had a hard time!”Adeline's eyes widened at what
As dawn approached on Monday, the vast parking lot of Fuentebella Medical Center was filled with life and activity. Two large buses sat parked, ready to transport the large delegation. Beside the buses were two large cargo vans currently being loaded by medical personnel, volunteer staff, and several utility workers.The pharmacists and supply nurses were busy inspecting boxes of antibiotics, multivitamins, IV fluids, dressing kits, and portable diagnostic equipment. Meanwhile, the resident doctors and energetic interns helped each other organize their luggage while holding their coffee. Fuentebella Medical Center was used to large relief and medical outreach operations like this, so every department from Emergency Medicine, Surgery, and Pediatrics to Nursing Services had clearly assigned duties.In the middle of this noisy and busy scene, Matthew stood not far from the entrance of the main bus. He was dressed in casual yet formal attire, a simple dark blue polo shirt, jeans, and well







