“Why are you still here?”
Her voice rang out in startled confusion as she emerged from the bathroom, skin still damp from her shower, a towel wrapped securely around her body. She halted mid-step, caught off guard by the sight of Cayson lounging on the couch at the foot of their bed, casually scrolling through his phone as if he belonged there. The soft overhead light cast shadows over his chiseled features, making his expression unreadable.
She hadn’t expected to see him.
After dinner, he had offered to drive her and Althea home. She had assumed, like always, that he would drop them off and then disappear into the night for one of his secret meetings with whatever woman currently held his attention. Not wanting to witness his exit again, she had quickly stepped out of the car and rus
Special Chapters 001 to 006 were oginally only available on the book version of this novel. Hope you love them!***Rome had been glancing at her wristwatch repeatedly while seated on the garden set, watching her two daughters chase after their great-grandmother Althea Montemayor’s newly purchased puppy. It was a French bulldog. And while the kids tried to catch the little dog, their two-year-old Labrador Retriever, Dolly, was right behind them, happily joining the chase.It was past five in the afternoon. She had been waiting for her husband to arrive from work. He had promised to be home by 4:30 PM, as they were supposed to catch their flight to Bali — their favorite country to visit — just in time for the school break. The kids had a two-week vacation, and she thought it would be the perfect time for a family getaway.
Two months later, Rome and Cayson got married again; this time, in a church. Rome’s dream of walking down the aisle finally came true. She was a glowing bride, filled with joy, because everyone she loved was there to witness the ceremony, including all of her close friends.Even Jiggy was there, now fully accepted by Rome’s entire family. Her parents eventually realized that Jiggy was more than just a friend. She was like family. Ever since that day in the hospital when they first met, they had treated her as one of their own, especially since, aside from Cayson, Jiggy had been one of those who stayed up countless nights watching over Rome.She later learned that she had been unconscious for three days after her C-section. She had lost a significant amount of blood and was incredibly lucky to have survived. Her parents recounted what happened when she was discharged from the hospital; the doctors had warned the
"I've already explained everything about Precilla to the whole family, and I'm ready to explain it again in front of you now. So, I need you to listen, okay?"She nodded like a child—submissive, vulnerable. She was ready to hear every word of his explanation and to forgive him, even before he asked to be forgiven.Because why shouldn’t she?Wasn’t the worry she had seen etched into his features enough? The dark shadows under his eyes, his pale complexion—weren’t those proof that he had neglected himself because of her?And wasn’t his confession already enough?Cayson had just told her he loved her. And not only that—he said he loved her more than she loved him. And he had proved it.
Rome woke up with a start.She felt a deep gnawing in her stomach, and it was hunger that pulled her from her deep sleep.Before opening her eyes, she tried to move her fingers first, testing if she could. But she quickly realized that something was keeping one of her hands in place, something warm and firm, and she couldn’t lift it.That was when she opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the white ceiling above her.Well, she already knew she was in the hospital. Before completely losing consciousness, she remembered doctors injecting her with various needles. And she knew that none of what happened was just a dream, because the sharp pain she had felt in the lower part of her body was still vivid in her memory. She could even still hear Connie crying.She turned her head to the left and saw the open window first. Outside, the sky was blue and clear
Rome couldn’t understand what she was feeling.She tried to open her eyes, but no matter how hard she fought, she didn’t have the strength. And even in the rare moments when her lids fluttered open, darkness quickly swallowed her sight. When images did come through, they were vague. Blurred.She saw Cayson. Or… the shadow of him.Wait... Cayson?Oh. Right.The last thing she remembered was seeing him at Baron’s house.Then… nothing.Darkness had consumed her a
An hour later Selena and Connie heard a car arrive and come to a stop in front of the house. Selena immediately recognized Baron’s vehicle. She hurried downstairs to greet him, finding him waiting at the gate. Since Baron had arrived before Jiggy, Connie asked him to help bring Rome to the hospital.They could have called an ambulance or a taxi, but Connie preferred that someone familiar accompany her sister. Rome’s health was fragile and her anxiety was increasing as her condition worsened.Rome woke up just as Baron prepared to lift her into the car. Confused and exhausted, she tried to protest, but Connie gently explained their plan to take her to the hospital for proper care.Rome insisted on staying instead. She said she still felt able to manage, just asking for a bowl of soup to soothe her hungry