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CHAPTER 3: Too Late
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2026-11-02 19:28:43CHAPTER 3: Too Late
Three years later. The Valdez Annual Gala was the biggest event in the city. Every rich family was there. Champagne, diamonds, and fake smiles. Marco Valdez stood at the center, in an expensive suit, with Lena clinging to his arm. She was now wearing a real designer dress, not Odessa's stolen one. "Where's Petrus?" Marco asked a waiter. "That old man should be grateful we invited him." Petrus was in the corner, alone, looking older and more tired. Since Odessa left, his market had been struggling. The Valdez family had taken most of his suppliers. Then, the doors opened. And the entire ballroom went silent. Odessa walked in. But it wasn't the Odessa they knew. Her long black hair was now soft waves. Her simple fish market clothes were replaced by a blood-red, elegant gown that clung to her body. Her face was the same, but different — confident, cold, powerful. The strange scent of the sea was gone, replaced by expensive perfume. But her eyes were the same. The storm was still there. Beside her was Lucian Dela Cruz. In a black suit, his hand possessively on her waist. Everyone knew Lucian didn't bring dates to events. Ever. "Who... who is that?" Lena whispered, her face pale. Marco couldn't speak. He just stared. Petrus stood up, his hands shaking. He recognized those eyes. Odessa walked straight to the stage, took the microphone, and smiled. A smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Good evening. For those who don't know me, I am Miss O. Dela Cruz. The new owner of Dela Cruz Shipping Lines. And as of this morning... the new owner of Valdez Fisheries." The whole room gasped. Marco's face turned white. "What? That's impossible! My family—" "Your family sold it to me this morning, Marco," Odessa said calmly, looking directly at him. "For a very good price. Because your family is bankrupt. You just didn't know it yet." Lena grabbed Marco's arm. "Marco, do something!" Odessa walked down from the stage, her red dress flowing like blood on water. She stopped in front of Petrus. "Mang Petrus," she said softly, so only he could hear. "I'm sorry I disappeared." Petrus's eyes filled with tears. "Odessa? Is it really you? Anak?" Odessa nodded. Then she turned to Marco and Lena. Marco finally found his voice. "Odessa? You... you are alive? Where have you been? We were worried—" "Worried?" Odessa laughed. It was a beautiful, cold laugh. "You were worried? When you pushed my bag into the sea? When you stole my 300,000 and called me a thief?" People around them started whispering, taking photos. Lena tried to recover. "Odessa, cuz, you misunderstood—" "Don't call me cuz," Odessa cut her off, her voice sharp. "My name is Miss Dela Cruz to you. And that dress? It doesn't look better on you. Nothing ever did." Lena stepped back as if slapped. Marco reached out to touch Odessa's arm. "Odessa, please, let's talk privately. I can explain—" Before his hand could touch her, Lucian was there. He grabbed Marco's wrist, tight. "Don't touch what's mine," Lucian said, his voice low and dangerous. Possessive. The whole room could hear it. "She is under my protection. She has been for three years." Marco winced in pain. "Let go!" Lucian let go, pushing him slightly. Marco stumbled. Odessa looked at Marco, at Lena, at all the people who once looked down on her. She remembered that night on the pier, cold, wet, with nothing. "You wanted to see if the sea would save me, right, Marco?" Odessa whispered, leaning close to him. "It did. It sent me a storm. And now, I'm the storm." She turned around, took Lucian's hand, and walked away. Petrus was crying now, but smiling. Marco and Lena were left standing in the middle of the ballroom, humiliated, bankrupt, and finally realizing what they had lost. Too late. As Odessa and Lucian reached the door, Odessa stopped and looked back one last time. "You said I smelled like the sea," she said to Lena. "You were right. And the sea never forgets." Then she left. Outside, Lucian opened the car door for her. "You were perfect," he said, his forbidden gaze never leaving her face. Odessa looked up at him, her cold mask finally cracking a little. "Did you see their faces?" "I saw only you," Lucian said, tucking her into the car. "My little storm, you have just started. Tomorrow, we take their house." Odessa smiled. For the first time in three years, it was a real smile. They regretted losing her. And it was too late.
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