เข้าสู่ระบบElise's POVThey thought Gabriel was their only enemy. Akala nila, I’m just a victim waiting to be saved, yung sunud-sunuran lang at laging nasa likuran niya nag aantay at laging pino-protektahan. Diyan sila nag kaka-mali.Today is the day para matapos na ang lahat ng ito.Tinitigan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin; I’m wearing black. Not because I’m sad, but because this is war and we will make sure this will end today.“Ready ka na?” tanong ni Gabriel. I turned to face him, my gaze steady. Walang bahid ng takot. Because I know this time we will again.“I’ve been ready,” sagot ko. And that’s when I realized—he’s not going to intervene. Not because he’s weak, but because he chose to let me take the lead this time.Lumabas na kami ng mansyon para tumungo sa court.Gabriel’s POVNasa loob kami ng sasakyan, pasulyap-sulyap ako kay Elise. She's so focus sa mga papel na hawak niya, napangiti ako, alam ko pagod na sya sa lahat ng drama na nang yayari sa buhay namin.Matapos kong i park ang sasak
Elise's POVThey say wedding days are supposed to feel light. Masaya dapat at punong-puno ng excitement.Pero habang pinapasadya yung wedding dress ko, ang bigat ng dibdib hindi ko alam kung kinakabahan ba ako sa papalapit na kasal o dahil ba hindi ako satisfied sa pagka wala ni Daniel. Para bang may mga matang naka tingin sa akin“Ma’am Elise?” tawag ng designer. “You okay?”Ngumiti ako pilit. “Yes. Just tired.”Hindi ko masabing bawat fitting, pakiramdam ko ay may mangyayaring masama.At mas lalong hindi ko masabi na gabi-gabi, napapanaginipan ko si Daniel—nakangiti sa likod ng simbahan, hawak ang kamay ni Sofia.I shuddered. Stress lang ang lahat ng itoGabriel's POVSecurity list—triple checked.Guest list—verified.Venue—locked down.I was treating my own wedding like a military operation. And I didn’t care if it killed the romance. Because Daniel was still breathing. And men like him never disappear. They just wait.“Boss,” my head of security said, lowering his voice. “May move
Gabriel's POVThere are men who hide their demons. And then there are men who become them when pushed.Daniel Monteclaros made one fatal mistake—He thought court was the battlefield.He thought I’d play clean.I was in my office when the call came.Not from Elise.Not from the nanny.From an unfamiliar number.I answered anyway.“Mr. Navarro,” a man’s voice said calmly. “You might want to check the news.”The line went dead.Seconds later, my phone exploded with notifications.Articles. Headlines.BUSINESS TYCOON GABRIEL NAVARRO LINKED TO ILLEGAL TRANSACTIONS.ANONYMOUS SOURCE CLAIMS CHILD USED AS LEVERAGE.My jaw clenched.Daniel.I slammed my fist on the desk.That son of a bitch wasn’t trying to win custody anymore.He was trying to destroy me.I didn’t panic.I smiled.Because now… I didn’t have to pretend.Elise's POVI knew something was wrong the moment I couldn’t reach Gabriel.Three calls.Nothing.Then my phone rang.“Ma’am,” the nanny said, her voice shaking. “Someone was
Elise's POVThe courtroom smelled like old paper and cold authority.Parang bawat hakbang ko papasok, binubura ang pagiging babae ko at ginagawa akong kaso—a mother under scrutiny. I hated it. Every single second of it.Gabriel’s hand wrapped around mine the moment we sat down. Gentle and Possessive. As if he was silently telling the entire room—She’s mine. That child is mine. Touch them and I’ll burn you alive. yan nalang lagi tumatakbo sa isip koI should’ve felt embarrassed.But instead… I felt safe.Across the room, Daniel stood.Seven years didn’t soften him. If anything, he looked sharper—suit pressed, jaw tight, eyes calculating. When his gaze landed on me, I felt that familiar unease crawl up my spine. Ano ba talaga ang pakay mo Daniel?Like I was something he once owned.And that made my stomach turn.“Don’t look at him,” Gabriel said quietly, leaning closer. His voice was calm, but I knew him well enough now.That was restrained fury.“I’m fine,” I whispered.“No,” he corre
Gabriel's POVNagising ako sa mabagal na paghinga ni Elise sa tabi ko. Nakatagilid siya, buhok niya nakakalat sa unan, at may bakas pa ng kagabi sa balat niya—mga marka ng init, mga alaala ng gabing parehong gusto naming kalimutan at alalahanin.Pero may isang bagay na hindi ko kayang balewalain.Daniel.Napapikit ako sandali, huminga nang malalim. Kagabi, nalunod kami sa isa’t isa—sa init, sa sakit, sa pananabik. Nakalimutan namin ang katotohanang may multong nagbabalik. Isang multo na may lakas ng loob na kunin ang anak ko.Ang anak namin.Maingat akong bumangon, hinila ang kumot para hindi siya magising. Lumakad ako papunta sa bintana, pinanood ang umagang unti-unting pumapasok sa kwarto. Sa liwanag ng araw, mas malinaw ang lahat.Hindi na pwedeng takbuhan ‘to.Hindi ko hahayaang lapitan ni Daniel si Sofia. O si Elise.Tumunog ang phone ko.Isang mensahe.Unknown Number: “Good morning, Gabriel. Mukhang masaya kayo kagabi. Sana ganyan ka rin kasaya kapag nalaman mo ang totoo.”Nanla
Gabriel's POVTahimik ang buong unit. Too quiet.Elise was sitting on the couch, yakap-yakap si Sofia as if afraid na baka kunin ito kahit nakapikit lang siya saglit. I couldn’t look at her. Hindi ko kayang tingnan yung takot sa mata niya. Yung pag-iyak na pilit niyang tinatago. Yung pagiging fragile niya.Kasi kung titingnan ko pa, baka… Baka bumigay rin ako.Huminga ako nang malalim. Kinuha ko ang phone ko at tumayo.“Gab…?” Narinig ko boses ni Elise— she call me out in a soft voice..Hindi ako lumingon.I dialed Lucas.“Pre, kailangan ko ng pabor.” in this tone i know i can rely to Lucas, minsan ko lang siya tinatawag ng "Pre" and when I called him like that he know na may seryosong nangyari“Put*—ano nangyari? Ba’t ganyan boses mo?”“Come here… kunin mo muna si Sofia. Took care of her for the mean time”Narinig ko hinaing ni Lucas. “Gab… sigurado ka? Elise needs her.”“I know,” sagot ko, swallowing hard. “I just… I can’t see her like this right now. Hindi ako ma







