"You’re nothing but an asset Thersa. When will you learn? I made you and you belong to me only" Wham! Mr Diego Mondragon hand struck her cheek which forced her to stumble. Thersa thought she’d finally escaped Mondragon’s cruel grasp, but fate had other plans. After losing her child and seeking solace in Rafael’s arms, she dared to love again….only to be dragged back into Mondragon’s world of control and deception. Carrying Rafael’s child, she is forced to hide the truth, allowing Mondragon to believe the baby is his. But when the truth unravels, he refuses to let go…He turned their son against her and demanded she return to him as his wife if she truly loves his son.. "You’re not my mother. You can never be my mother!" he screamed and ran away with tears streaming down his face. Torn between a mother’s love and her passion for Rafael, Thersa betrays him to protect their son, shattering his heart. But Rafael isn't the type to give up. He will do anything to have her back…even if it means facing the devil himself. "I’m telling you, Mondragon….no matter what it takes, even if I have to destroy you…I will win her back. And I will take my son!" he vowed.
View More"Hahaha! Cheers!" A man in his early thirties raised his glass to toast with his friends. He held a chicken in his hand, his belly a bit chubby from the delightful feast and his face showing the effects of the ample amount of alcohol he had been enjoying.
"Diego, your wife can cook," he remarked as he took a sip from his glass. "Let me keep her in my house for a week," he jokingly suggested. Laughter filled the room, shared by the other man, who had an oval-shaped head and a rather lean appearance, as well as Mr. Mondragon himself. "Don't be silly, Leo," Mr. Mondragon playfully responded and they all joined in the laughter as they enjoyed the camaraderie of the moment. "Where is she?" The man with the oval head looked around, searching for Mr. Diego's wife. "Where else will she be?" Mr. Diego Mondragon replied with a chuckle and leaned toward him. "The kitchen, of course," Leo added, and they all shared another round of laughter. Leo continued, "Women are supposed to be in the kitchen and nowhere else," which added another round of laughter to their conversation… With a grin, he raised his plate high and said, "More food! I need to refill my plate. You can't find this kind of cuisine anywhere else. Even my sometimes arrogant wife can't match these culinary skills!"….……… Mr. Diego turned to one of the ten maids standing nearby as they feasted and instructed, "You heard him. Go and tell my wife that we need more of her signature dishes. The man with the oval head complimented, "You really know how to hold a feast…" Mr. Diego smiled and left his glass up, "I’ll drink to that!" The maid quickly rushed to inform Mrs. Mondragon, fully aware that any delay or failure to do so might cost her job. She entered the house from outside where the festivities were taking place. The grand exterior hinted at the luxury inside. The shiny tiled floors reflected every step, almost like glass. The sitting room had golden accents that stood out against the crisp white walls, giving it a rich and elegant feel. Inside, everything spoke of wealth and comfort. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, warm light. The rooms were filled with beautifully carved antique furniture, each piece covered in soft, velvety cushions, making the space feel both classy and inviting… The maid rushed through the spotless white hallways, where expensive paintings hung on the walls and vases overflowed with fresh flowers. As she neared the kitchen, the mouthwatering aroma of food filled the air. Mrs. Mondragon was known for her exceptional cooking, and she took great pride in preparing delicious meals for her guests… As the maid stepped into the kitchen, she found Mrs. Mondragon deep in the midst of her cooking. Though only a few months pregnant, she worked tirelessly, her face marked with exhaustion from both her role as a hostess and the strain of her condition. Yet, her determination to ensure her guests were well-fed never wavered. The kitchen buzzed with activity...pots simmered on the stove, and a team of maids moved swiftly under Mrs. Mondragon’s careful direction. Despite her fatigue, she remained focused, leaning against the counter for support while overseeing every detail. Her apron, smeared with traces of her hard work, was proof of her unwavering dedication. The maid approached Mrs. Mondragon, whispering the guest's request for more food. Mrs. Mondragon acknowledged it with a nod. She had been through many such feasts, and she knew the importance of satisfying her guests' appetites. With grace and resilience, she continued her culinary creations, ensuring that the food would be nothing short of extraordinary. In just 20 minutes, she had finished cooking. With two maids carrying the dishes behind her, she made her way to the dining area. As she approached, Mr. KM Smith took notice. "Ah, there you are," he said warmly. She responded with a polite bow and a respectful greeting Mr. Leo Wool chimed in, "Join us, join us!" He had a friendly smile on his face, indicating that he wanted her to dine with them. Thank you, I have to go work on something. She said and turn to walk away. She heard what he said, which made her sad because she knew that once he discover the gender of her child in her womb and it's not a boy, her husband, Mr. Diego, is going to beat her until she has a miscarriage. Each step she took to walk away, a tear dropped from her eye. She entered her bedroom, a cozy and homely space furnished with a large, comfortable bed at its center. He closed the door behind her, drawing her towards the wall. Gently, she descended while her back remained against the wall, and tears began to well up in her eyes. "I'm going to lose another one, another child, and if it's a girl," she said, her voice trembling as she began hitting her chest while sobbing. "I hate my life," she added through clenched teeth. With her back and head against the door, she continued to cry, her sobs echoed in the room. Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from upstairs, growing louder with each step. Panic and frustration surged through her as she darted her eyes left and right, desperately searching for a way to steady herself. With trembling hands, she wiped away her tears using the edge of her sari, trying to hide the storm of emotions threatening to consume her. Her heart pounded as she hurried to the edge of the bed, sitting down quickly, forcing herself to appear calm.....as if nothing had happened. The door burst open, and it was Mr. Mandragon. He slammed the door shut behind him which created a thunderous noise that made Thersa jump in fright. "Thersa!" he called out with sharp and demanding voice. Mr. Mandragon had a particular way of calling his wife, and it always sent shivers down her spine. She walked towards him, trembling like a child facing their abuser, her eyes filled with a multitude of unspoken fears and secrets. Mr. Mandragon pivoted to face the opposite direction, leaving his wife standing behind him. He placed one hand on his waist and used the other to massage his chin, his fury intensifying with each passing second. He looked like a lion preparing to pounce on its prey… He turned to face his wife and without hesitation, his hand swung through the air and he landed a harsh slap that sent her crashing to the floor. Her palms hit the cold tiles, her reflection staring back at her from the glossy surface. Tears streamed down her face, mixed with the blood trickling from her nose, but she made no sound only the trembling of her body revealed the pain she felt inside. "When are you going to learn, Thersa?" Mr. Mandrago's voice thundered with fury as he pointed at his wife on the floor. He stormed across the room, his hands moving furiously as he spoke. "Why on earth would you expose your baby bump for them to see? You should know better! "Nobody should see the bump until we know the gender. Do you want the world to mock me? What will people think if I give birth to a girl?’’ ….She sat silently on the floor, tears falling, looking utterly exhausted and hopeless, as if she'd lost all will to keep going right at the moment.. He made soothing sounds, "Tswww, Tswwww, don’t cry, baby. Don't cry, my love," and quickly moved from where he stood to kneel on the floor next to his wife. He touched her and embraced her, lifting her tear-streaked face and gently wiping away the tears, as if he hadn't been the cause of them. "You just have to listen to me, Thersa, and we will be great,"Looking as though he regretted something, Mr. Mandrago stood and entered their walk-in dressing room, which was about the same size as their bedroom. The dressing room was divided into two sections: his had a modern old-fashioned style with painted grey walls, while his wife’s side had a classic but simple style. He went in, picked up a parcel bag, and returned to their bedroom. Here, he stretched out his hands and placed it on a chair. "Wear this for tonight’s gala" he said reluctantly.."They want to see you right beside me. Not that I have a choice." He continued, "It’s a loose dress; they won’t even notice the bump."he said. He stood up quickly, just as he had knelt, and sat on the edge of their bed. He walked out of the room, leaving Mrs. Mandragon still sitting on the floor, her face reflecting the pain and exhaustion she felt.The room was quiet except for the ticking clock on the wall.Thersa sat on the cushioned bench, her palms slightly damp as she waited. The door opened and she stood up at once.Diego walked in first, holding DJ’s hand. The little boy’s eyes scanned the room and stopped on Thersa. He paused but didn’t say anything.Thersa took a careful step forward, offering a soft smile. “Hi, sweetheart.”DJ looked at her for a moment, then turned his gaze away.“You don’t have to say anything,” Thersa said gently. “I’m just… I’m happy to see you.”Diego gave a soft chuckle and said, “We could have been a great family, Thersa… but you chose to abandon us.”“You don’t have to be here,” Thersa replied quietly to Diego..“I asked him to be,” DJ cut in sharply. “Do you have a problem with that?”Thersa swallowed hard, caught off guard by his tone.“I don’t feel safe being alone with you,” DJ added. “What if you make me go missing or something?”Thersa’s eyes shifted up to Diego with a hurt look, but he
Rafael parked outside the small, grey-stoned police station, his jaw tight as he stepped out of the car. He had just left Thersa’s office.Inside, the front desk officer looked up as he entered.“I’m here to speak with the truck driver involved in the missing goods case from Harrison Fashion House,” Rafael said firmly.“Ah, yes. He’s still in the holding room. Detective Nunez is with him,” the officer replied.. "You can wait in the observation room.”The officer led Rafael through a quiet corridor and opened a small door. Inside, the truck driver sat alone at a table, his head low until he looked up and saw Rafael enter.“You… you’re from the company,” the man said nervously.Rafael nodded, closing the door behind him. “I’m Rafael Wood. Partner to Miss Harrison.”“I swear, sir,” the driver blurted out, “I didn’t steal anything. I’ve never even been written up before. This whole thing....... is”Rafael held up a hand. “I’m not here to attack you. I just want the truth.”The man exhaled
Diego dropped the newspaper on his desk so hard the glass rattled. The headline read : Fashion House Owner Thersa Harrison Suffers Major Setback: Entire Winter Collection Stolen Days Before Release He leaned back in his chair and laughed. “How can someone like her be trusted with a child when she can’t even protect her own designs?” His lawyer stood by the window with a folder in hand. “Your Honor will see this,” he said. “If we present the theft as proof of her instability and distraction, it weakens her case. It shows she can’t manage her own affairs, let alone a child’s.” Diego frowned. “And that’s enough to strip her of any claim to DJ?” The lawyer nodded. “Yes. If we lay it out clearly, the judge will doubt her ability to provide a stable home.” Diego allowed himself a slow, satisfied smile. The media was doing their work for him. “And even the fact that she was in rehab, which we have proof of, will only add to it,” the lawyer said. Diego leaned forward, his int
"Thersa had already been through enough, her long-awaited collection release had completely fallen apart. And now, instead of salvaging what was left, she was in court, fighting alongside Rafael for the one thing that still mattered her son."Rafael gently squeezed her hands… "Everything is going to be alright," he said softly."I hope so..." Thersa murmured, her voice barely holding steady as she sat down.Just then, footsteps echoed from down the hallway. Several men walked ahead and behind them came Diego holding the hand of a young boy.Thersa's heart leapt as she suddenly sprang up."My son," she whispered.Before anyone could stop her, she rushed past the guards. "DJ!" she cried out, throwing her arms around him.She collapsed into his small frame, weeping freely. "I missed you so much," she said, pulling back only to look at his face…his eyes, his nose, his smile…everything she had dreamed about for years. "I'm so sorry… so sorry I haven’t been in your life all these years,"
The morning sun barely warmed the air as Grace entered the fashion house, her eyes immediately scanned for Thersa. Staff moved quietly, Orders were backing up and no one knew what to say.Theresa was already at her desk, still in yesterday’s clothes, her eyes were glued to her tablet, searching through emails and tracking numbers again for the hundredth time.“Any word from the warehouse or the driver?” she asked without looking up.Grace shook her head.“Nothing. I tried calling the delivery driver's line again this morning. Still switched off. And warehouse security says no new footage has turned up.”Thersa rubbed her temples and let out a deep sigh.“This was supposed to be our biggest launch of the year. Limited winter release… all the pre-orders are lined up and now the key pieces are just gone.”Grace stepped forward, hesitant.“Do you think… someone might’ve done this intentionally?”Thersa looked up slowly, her eyes sharp now.“I don’t think. I know.”There was a brief silenc
The day had gone by quietly. Diego stepped out of the boardroom after a meeting, buttoning his suit jacket. “Sir,” his assistant called, hurrying to meet him. “Your lawyer called, he said it’s urgent.” Without a word, Diego took the phone and called back as he walked into his office. “Mr. Mondragon,” came the lawyer’s voice at once. “There’s been legal action filed against you. A Custody.” Diego chuckled. “Oh, so fast,” he muttered. “Go on.” He sank heavily into his chair, leaning back with his legs crossed. “They’re requesting full custody of the child. The court date has been set for next week Monday.” Diego’s eyes darkened slightly. “So soon…” He sat up straighter, the edge in his voice sharper now. “Well then. We’ll meet them there.” “They think they can take what I’ve raised with my own hands?” He scoffed, a cold smile forming. “They’ll learn the law doesn’t care about tears. It cares about proof. We shall see.” The lawyer cleared his throat. “They’re also reques
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