LOGINStaring in the mirror, Mercedes was in awe of the reflection staring back at her. Her eyes sparkled with delight. She looked beautiful and unrecognizable. All that was thanks to Crystal, who offered to help her get ready. She did her hair and makeup. Mercedes couldn't stop staring at herself in the mirror. She was satisfied with how she looked. The make-up was not too heavy, but it was elegant and it accentuated her features. Her hair was put up in a messy bun and a few strands fell on her face. She looked and felt like a princess. Mercedes acknowledged that Crystal had skilled hands that managed to transform her into a beautiful and radiant woman. For the first time in a long time, she was bubbling with excitement. Felix had been acting strange, and she was scared, thinking that something was wrong. But it turned out that he was planning a romantic night out. Mercedes couldn't believe that was all it was, but it made her happy that he was going up and down trying to get things ready
Two months after everything, Felix gathered the courage to finally bend the knee and ask Mercedes to take his hand in marriage. The only thing that was left to do was for him to ask Mercedes to marry him. A few days after Mercedes woke up, he started preparing for the proposal. He was planning everything by himself, afraid that another person would talk and ruin the surprise. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't very good at being discreet because Jake caught him fully engrossed in paging the ring catalog on his phone. It was done. He couldn't hide it from Jake anymore. When he pressed him for the truth, he ended up spilling the beans to Jake. Now he was the one assisting him with the set-up. He was kind of glad he was caught because only god knows how he would manage to pull off a surprise on his own. He didn't even know where or how to begin. It was the day he was planning on finally proposing to Mercedes, and he woke up early, leaving her in the bed to make final touches to his set-up
Mercedes was so eager to see someone who had her whole heart. Her dear son Horace. Felix helped her get to his room. Horace was awake, and he was playing with his toys inside his cot. Mercedes stood by the door. She could see that he had changed from the last time she saw him. It's been a whole year, so change and growth is inevitable. What hurt was that she missed it. She missed most of his life and that made her heart ache. After such a long time without seeing him, would Horace still remember her? Would he remember that she was his mother or is she nothing more than a stranger to him now? The thought of it was making her feel scared to go inside. Mercedes gripped the door frame as she hesitated to go inside Horace’s room. Tears slipped out of her eyes and her heart ached painfully. It got difficult to breathe. Felix rubbed her back, trying to soothe her. “ Please, calm down, Mercedes. Don't get worked up. Just take a deep breath and let it out,” he whispered to her. Mercedes sta
After that awkward moment with Crystal, Felix and Mercedes decided to get ready for the day. It was time to put their intimate time on hold and join the rest downstairs since it was likely that Crystal had already let everyone know that Mercedes was awake. It's only a matter of time before someone came to find her. Mercedes still couldn't fully walk without any support. Felix had to carry her and help her bathe. He was so attentive and gentle as if he was handling something fragile. She wouldn't usually want anyone to treat her as if she was delicate, but with Felix, she couldn't help it. His touch was so tender and soothing. He even offered to wash her hair. It was the first time he had treated her with such gentleness, thanks to her condition, but she had no doubt that he would treat her just the same, any other day. In the past, they just didn't have the chance. After bathing, Felix helped get dressed and dried her hair. Mercedes's heart swelled with love as she watched him do hi
Felix and Mercedes were sitting on the bed in silence, Felix still holding Mercedes. He didn't want to leave her and she understood. She had craved his touch and presence for so long that she didn't want him to let go either. They didn't say anything, both lost in their own minds. It's not been long since she woke up from her slumber and Felix didn't want to overwhelm her with questions. He wanted to give her some time. Mercedes realized that what she had been through might be a dream. The long days of being trapped in that place without even remembering who she was. She began to wonder how long she was out in the real world. How much time did she lose? Because of her, Felix had been dealing with a lot by himself, and she could see how deeply affected he was. He had dark circles under his eyes, his beard had grown out, and his hair needed a cut. Just for tonight, she would immerse herself in the peaceful silence. Felix was right beside her, so she was content with that. After a while
“ I'm over here,” Mercedes said, her voice coming out hoarse because she had just woken up after a long time. Mercedes's throat was dry, and her words couldn't come out smoothly yet. Felix was frozen, feeling like his ears were deceiving him. All the hellish days and the sleepless nights, pain and grief he had gone through just to see her awake. He walked over to where her voice came from. There she was on the floor beside the bed. Felix stared at her for a moment, his eyes locking with hers. At that moment, it felt like time stood still. He did not believe that she was truly awake. It felt like it was a dream. Mercedes smiled through tears when she saw his face. The thing she was thinking about on the verge of death was that she would be regretful for not seeing him for the last time. It was not the last time she could now see him standing well in front of her. Mercedes raised her hand, reaching for him. His eyes followed her arm and she beckoned him to come closer to her. That do







