PRESENT DAY...
Cayson wasted no time that afternoon. After speaking with Jen and his grandmother, he immediately got back in his car. He had Jen unload all the items he brought, then sped away toward the address he knew his wife would go to.
There was only one place she could be: her parents’ home. But what he couldn’t wrap his head around was why she would leave without telling anyone. Even his grandmother had no idea that Rome had left. Jen, too, said she was just as surprised when she found out.
Jen had told him quickly and nervously that Rome had snuck out of the mansion the other night. They were all shocked to wake up and discover she was gone. She returned only around ten in the morning and didn’t speak much. When she came back, she locked herself in her room and didn’t speak to anyone. The same thing happe
PRESENT DAY...Cayson wasted no time that afternoon. After speaking with Jen and his grandmother, he immediately got back in his car. He had Jen unload all the items he brought, then sped away toward the address he knew his wife would go to.There was only one place she could be: her parents’ home. But what he couldn’t wrap his head around was why she would leave without telling anyone. Even his grandmother had no idea that Rome had left. Jen, too, said she was just as surprised when she found out.Jen had told him quickly and nervously that Rome had snuck out of the mansion the other night. They were all shocked to wake up and discover she was gone. She returned only around ten in the morning and didn’t speak much. When she came back, she locked herself in her room and didn’t speak to anyone. The same thing happe
"Make sure the document you send me is already complete, Mitch. I don’t want to be bothered during my entire week of rest." His voice was steady through the phone, tired yet determined. Dark clouds rolled overhead as he drove toward the mansion."Yes, sir. I’ve already arranged the folder. I’ll personally deliver it to the mansion.""Good. See you tomorrow. Oh, and please come around lunchtime. I don’t want to wake up early."He ended the call and was about to toss his phone onto the passenger seat when he noticed the battery was at 1%. While his hands were still on the wheel and his eyes stayed on the road, he reached around blindly, trying to find the charger.He cursed under his breath when his hand failed to touch anythi
"Oh, hey, Rome!"What is she doing here? she asked herself, stunned at the sight of Precilla standing in the living area.The moment Jen told her about the unexpected visitor, it was as if all the pain and discomfort she had felt since last night vanished. She had rushed down the stairs, and there in the spacious living room stood Precilla, looking up at the large portraits that lined the high walls. Rome stopped just a few feet away and took a deep breath before continuing her approach.This is the woman who once meant something to me.The same woman who made me attack Cayson Montemayor ten years ago.And now, she’s the woman making my blood boil because she
She didn’t feel any better the entire day. Her body remained heavy, her lower back ached persistently, and her head throbbed without mercy. As night crept in, the discomfort clung to her like a fevered fog, making every breath and shift of movement feel like a chore. Thanks to Jen, however, she was at least able to take a warm bath. The house helper gently supported her, careful with every movement, even helping her into fresh clothes afterwards. Jen made several trips in and out of her room, always with something in hand; a tray of soup, a glass of water, slices of fruit. She moved with quiet purpose, like a nurse tending to a patient she genuinely cared about.Cayson hadn’t called all day. But that wasn’t unusual. He always waited until evening to check in on her… if he checked in at all.The television stayed on from mo
"Thanks for the ride, Baron. Next time, I’ll ask Granny Althea’s driver to take me so I don’t bother you every time I visit," Rome said with a warm smile as Baron pulled up in front of the mansion's gate.Connie had asked to be dropped off at the mall to do some grocery shopping, while Baron took Rome straight to the quiet, tree-lined subdivision. The early evening air was cool, carrying with it the soft hum of crickets and the fading light of dusk."Nah, it’s nothing, Rome. Just a small favor," Baron replied casually, giving her a friendly nod.She thanked him again with genuine gratitude, stepped out of the car, and gently closed the door.Jen, the house helper, was already outside tending to the garden, watering the plants. She ha
Rome tried to carry on like everything was normal in the days that followed. But every time Cayson left the house for work, she couldn’t help but suspect the worst. She knew he was going to the office, but a voice in the back of her head whispered that he might be meeting with Precilla instead.Oh, that woman.Connie had invited her several times to go out with Precilla, but Rome refused every single time. She would rather stay cooped up in the mansion, stuck in a dull routine, than sit across a table from that snake. The very idea was intolerable.And Cayson? She was angry with him, too. But she had to act like she wasn’t. After all, she had no right. They had signed terms. They had an agreement.Still, that anger melted every time he was gentle with h