MasukHi everyone! I’ve just finished fixing this chapter and I’m so excited to finally share it with you. 💖 Thank you so much for your patience and support....it really means a lot. I hope you enjoy reading this part of the story as much as I enjoyed working on it. As always, your thoughts, reactions, and feedback keep me inspired, so feel free to share what you think in the comments. 💬 Every reaction helps me grow and makes this journey even more fun. Happy reading, and see you in the next chapter! 🌸
Now, hearing Kathalina speak of her struggles, of the loneliness and hardship she had endured, believing she was entirely on her own, Jeff saw the pain in Thirdie’s eyes. He knew that every word she said only deepened the guilt his boss carried, the knowledge that he had been there all along, that he had watched her cry and work and fight, yet had been forced to stay hidden, unable to step forward, unable to hold her, to tell her that she was never truly alone. Jeff felt for him, knowing that every single one of those secret journeys, every sleepless night spent traveling, every moment of longing and silence, had been driven by nothing but love and the desperate need to protect her, even if it meant she would never know, even if it meant he had to bear the burden of her suffering alone.Kathalina’s gaze swept gently over the crowd, her expression soft and sincere as she continued speaking, her voice carrying clearly to every corner of the hall.“Anyway, for all these years, I asked E
Kathalina’s smile trembled slightly, her eyes glistening with held-back tears. “He came just to thank me. He told me that shortly after he bought it… His wife had already been very ill, and she passed away not long after their anniversary.”Several guests lowered their heads, moved by the sadness of the story, and even Agnes, who had been so loud and angry earlier, remained perfectly still, silenced by the emotion in the room.“He told me that before she died, while she still had the strength to dress up and look in the mirror… she wore that dress. He told me she stood there, looking at herself, and she smiled, a smile he said he would remember forever. He told me that for just a little while, she felt beautiful, she felt cherished, she felt loved completely. And he told me…” Kathalina paused, her voice thick with emotion, as she glanced toward Erica, who was now openly weeping, tears streaming down her face. “He told me for just one night, my wife felt like the most beautiful woma
“I left because I wanted to start over, far from everything I had known. I was hurt, I was lost, and I needed to find myself again, to remember who I was beyond the roles others had given me.” There was no bitterness in her tone, only the honest clarity of someone who had walked through darkness and found her way out.“So I went to Italy, the place I had dreamed of since I was a young girl, the heart of the fashion world, where art and beauty are woven into every street and every moment. I thought that stepping into that world, finding work at a small clothing company, meant my future had finally begun exactly as I had imagined.” She paused, and a soft, self-deprecating laugh escaped her lips.“But just one month later… the company went completely bankrupt.” A ripple of gentle laughter spread through the audience, lightening the mood, as they understood the irony of her beginnings. Even Kathalina smiled, shaking her head slightly at the memory.“My friend Erica and I suddenly found ou
His earlier quiet fascination transformed into something far darker and more intense. His eyes gleamed with sharp, hungry interest, locking onto her figure with even greater fixation than before. A slow, twisted smile curled at the corners of his lips, and a clear, malicious glint shone in his eyes, visible to anyone who might have bothered to look his way.So that is who you really are, he thought, his mind spinning with greedy excitement. Not just a wealthy man’s wife… but the elusive genius behind a global empire, a name that commands respect and wealth everywhere. You are far more valuable, far more rare, and far more powerful than I ever imagined.He leaned forward slightly, his gaze raking over her with open, predatory admiration, his smirk deepening into something arrogant and sinister.All the better, he told himself confidently, his heart racing with twisted ambition. A woman of your beauty, your talent, and your status… You are the ultimate prize. It does not matter who you
They had never seen her before, never even caught a glimpse of her face. But now, looking at the woman standing under the spotlight: poised, kind, brilliant, and breathtakingly beautiful, everyone gazed at her with pure astonishment and awe. She was no longer just a name or a mystery; she was the heart and soul behind Eternal Vow, and in that moment, she was unforgettable.All the guests were stunned into silence, their eyes wide with shock. Camera flashes lit up the entire hall as reporters snapped photo after photo, desperate to capture the face of the woman who had been nothing but a mystery for years. Admiration and awe rippled through the crowd, yet alongside it, seeds of doubt began to take root in some minds.“Is it truly her?” a wealthy socialite whispered to her companion, leaning forward in her seat, eyes fixed on the stage. “The Layla? The one they say only designs for royalty and billionaires abroad? I always imagined someone older, more intimidating… not someone so young
Five long seconds passed, yet she remained standing there in the middle of the runway, frozen, her face pale as paper, trembling visibly under the spotlight.From their seats, Kathalina and Erica noticed immediately that something was wrong. They exchanged a quick, alarmed glance; both knew exactly what was happening. They knew this was Hana’s first major event, and they could see the terror written all over the young woman’s face. Without a word, both women started to rise from their chairs, ready to rush to her aid.But Leonel acted fast, gently but firmly pulling Erica back down to her seat.“You can’t go,” he whispered urgently, supporting her arm. “You’re pregnant, wearing heels, and this place is packed with people. Moving recklessly in a crowd like this is dangerous for you and the baby. Stay here.”Erica looked back at him, worried and helpless, but she knew he was right.Seeing Erica hold back, Kathalina did not hesitate for another second. She turned and swiftly made her way
Kathalina woke up just before seven, as she always did. Even after sleeping late, her body never forgot the time. It was a habit she could never break. The city outside was still quiet, and the morning felt slow and gentle.Soft sunlight slipped through the thin gap in the curtains, spreading a war
Instead, she lowered her eyes again, hiding the storm behind them.You’re screaming at the person you’re trying to protect, Kathalina thought coldly.How ironic.Her fingers returned to the fabric, steady and precise, as if the tension around her didn’t exist. Every stitch was clean. Controlled. In
In Davao, across the quiet street from the hotel, a man leaned against his car. The city lights reflected on the windshield, hiding his face in shadow. His posture looked relaxed, but his eyes never left the building.His phone rested in his palm, half-covered, as if even the night should not know
Two hours later, the plane touched down in Davao.Kathalina felt the familiar pull of exhaustion the moment her feet hit the ground, but she didn’t slow down. She had never allowed tiredness to win, not when work was waiting.Steve and Erica walked beside her as they left the airport and headed str







