The One Who Got Away

East of Marina City, which also happened to be the heart of the city, stood two uniquely designed skyscrapers on some of the most expensive land in the country. From above, they looked like lovers embracing—hence the name, Gemini Towers.This land was where our family estates once stood before the earthquake reduced them to rubble. It was also where I was buried for 48 hours—my worst nightmare.To help me heal from the trauma, Dominic sketched design after design, even with his hands still wrapped in bandages. Then, he poured his entire fortune into buying this piece of land.Gemini Towers stood as a symbol of Dominic's devotion to me and the bond we had shared since childhood. We were the classic story—a couple who grew up together and got married to each other.Back then, he proposed, and I said yes. But he didn't have any money left to hold a wedding. So he said that every year on our anniversary, he would host a grand wedding at Gemini Towers—making up for the one we never had—

"Mr. Cruz is truly the epitome of a devoted husband. Five years ago, during the earthquake, he ignored everyone's warning and dug through the rubble with his bare hands to save Ms. Baird. He even nearly crippled his hands in the process."Every year on their anniversary, he holds a wedding ceremony at Gemini Towers. He's put so much effort into restoring this painting. How many men in the world would go this far for their wives?"…Even though I was leaving tomorrow, the fact that he had spent five years restoring the painting still moved me to tears.Dominic tenderly reminisced with me. "Remember how all the adults laughed at me when I was little and told them I would marry you someday?"Back then, he would give me all of his money, saying that a man's money should be entrusted to his wife for safekeeping.I couldn't help but laugh and cry along with him as he recounted all of the memories we shared together.Just then, his phone rang. Without even glancing at the screen, he de

I shrugged helplessly. "I was just bored then."When I first left, I had been curious if Dominic and Rosa would really end up together. But seeing them tear into each other later only made me more grateful for my decision to walk away.Vanessa had the gossipy look on her face again."If I were you, I'd be laughing my head off seeing Rosa lose her mind."Yes, with a gossip-loving best friend like her, I was always on the frontlines of the drama.Rosa screamed in pain after Dominic kicked her hard in the stomach. But he assumed, as usual, that she was just trying to get his attention. So he left without a backward glance.Her cries grew weaker. It wasn't until blood pooled beneath her that the panicked security rushed her to the hospital.The emergency doctor informed her that she was eight weeks pregnant. But she had lost too much blood, so her fetus couldn't be saved.She stayed in the hospital for a week, and Tracy visited once. But after hearing the doctor say Rosa would neve

"If your dad refused to divorce but cheated on your mom, would you cover for him or help your mom take down that homewrecker? And if your mom objected to your mistress during the wedding, would your dad have made his affair public?"Dominic fell into a long silence before finally exhaling. "Yes. My mom's and my attitude toward you influenced him. We all thought it wasn't a big deal for a man to have multiple mistresses. I was wrong for being so selfish, and that was how we ended up where we are right now."His hands trembled as he spoke. So did his voice."Men are such good actors. My dad included. How could he have cheated? He always listened to my mom. Even on the day he asked for a divorce, he still said good morning to her and gave her a goodbye kiss."He buried his face in his hands, tears seeping through his fingers. But his crying stirred no pity in me. In fact, it only disgusted me more."Yvonne, do you hate me a lot? Will you never forgive me?"I shook my head. The memor