Nerissa leaned against the mahogany bookshelf, her arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips."And so?" she didn't even hesitated to tell him the truth now. "You can't be serious," Nicholas scoffed disbelievingly. "You... you orchestrated her kidnapping? But why? She's your sister. Even though you are not really blood related, she treated you well, right?" he asked, still can't believe why Nerissa got on this point. Nerissa's smirk faded into a cold, calculated look."Because she doesn't deserve the happiness she has. Not with him, not with their daughter," she hissed, her jealousy and hatred seeping through each word, as she continue."She has everything I've ever wanted – the perfect life, a loving husband, and that adorable daughter. I can't stand seeing her happiness while I'm left in the shadows." Nicholas sighed while shaking his head. "Then, what's the endgame?" "I want her to suffer. I want her to feel the pain of losing it all. Now that she's gone? I'll swoop in, taking n
In Mateo's office with the low hum of electronics and the occasional shuffle of papers. Detective Thompson sat across from Mateo, his expression grave, the lines on his face deepened by the burden of his badge.Mateo's hands were clenched, his knuckles white. His voice, when he spoke, was laced with a desperation that he could no longer hide. As days progresses without any updates about his wife, he ound it increasingly difficult to maintain the facade of calm. His nerves are frayed, his patience waning, the constant worry gnawing at him. "It's been days, Detective. Weeks without a single word. How is that possible? With all the technology, the resources—how can nothing be done?" Mateo asked for the umpteenth time, his frustration clear on his features. "About that Roman? Still no news from him? He's the only person my wife's with that night. So, I am sure that he was involved in this!" Mateo continued, his eyes darkening. Detective Thompson sighed, the weight of countless cases r
Isabella's wrists ached from the rough ropes that bound her to the chair. She had stopped counting the days, but the growth of her nails and the length of her hair suggested it had been weeks, maybe longer. She could hear the waves crashing against the shore outside, a sound that once brought her peace, now a taunting reminder of her isolation.A door creaked open, and two figures stepped into the room that she already called now as her cage. "How's your day now?" One of the man asked like they're just friends. Isabella glared at the man. She feel so tired, but she never stopped hoping that she can escape here one day and go back to her husband and daughter who are probably worrying sick about what happened to her."I don't know why you're doing this. Please, I need to see my daughter." Both man just laughed at her."Oh, dear. Still clinging to hope? You're not going anywhere. And your precious daughter? She's better off without you.""Why? What do you want from me?!" Isabella scream
Mateo stands in front of the mansion, a delivery man just handed him a nondescript parcel. He turns it over in his hands, curiosity etched on his face. He doesn't expect any other deliveries to arrive at this moment. "I wasn’t expecting anything. Who could this be from?" he muttered to himself. He slices the tape, unwrapping the parcel and As the contents come into view, his expression shifts from curiosity to shock. Mateo gasped, he almost dropped the present. "W-What's the meaning of this..." he mumbled as he held the picture in his hand. Her mother who's walking towards the door, notices Mateo's distress. "Mateo, what is it? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost." Mateo, without a word, shows her the photograph. Cynthia’s hand flies to her mouth in horror. ~Mateo can't still breath properly after seeing the photograph. His whole body trembles uncontrollably. Mateo can't bring himself to believe it. But the photo clearly shows that Isabella and Roman's both sleeping naked in one
In the sterile quiet of Mateo’s office, the only sound was the soft ticking of the clock and the occasional shuffle of papers. He's still struggling to keep his focus, the image of the photograph haunting every moment of respite. The door clicked open, and Nerissa stepped in a flash drive clutched tightly in her hand."Mateo, I have something for you. Someone left this at the front desk for you."Mateo looked up, his face etched with the burden of recent days. He took the flash drive, his gaze questioning."Did they say who they were? What's on this?" Mateo asked softly. Nerissa shook her head and he let out an exasperated sigh. "No idea. They just mentioned it was something personal and you needed to see it," she said. Mateo eyed the USB, a sense of foreboding settling over him. He inserted the flash drive into his computer, his heart pounding as he waited for it to load. Once it had, the file was an audio recording. He clicked play, and Isabella's voice filled the room, an apology
Mateo lay motionless on the hospital bed, her mother and Nerissa were sitting at the both side of his bed. Ms. Cynthia, sitting closest to Mateo, held his hand gently, her eyes occasionally wandering to his face, searching for any sign of consciousness."Oh, son... I still can't believe this happened... first Isabella, now this. How much more can he take?" her voice cracked, tears started forming in the corner of her eyes. Nerissa, positioned on the opposite side, maintained her role flawlessly. "It's going to be okay, Aunt Cynthia. Mateo is strong. He'll get through this." Her tone was soothing, yet her eyes, when they met Mateo's inert form, sparkled with an emotion not entirely sympathetic. In her mind, it's just all a part of her plans."I... I just can't believe that a woman like Isabella could leave my son and even her own daughter. I trusted her. I thought that she'll love my son, but she turned out not to be the one." Nerissa walked on the other side of the bed to comfort M
In the clean, plain hospital room, Mateo sat uneasily in his hospital bed. The hard white sheets seemed to intensify the seriousness of the situation. Next to him was Nerissa, her face showing worry that really seems and while Mateo's mother stayed quietly in the background, like a quiet guard. Nicholas, resting against the distant wall, watched the situation with a judgemental, yet accepting look.A uniformed police officer, notebook in hand, stood at the foot of Mateo's bed. His behavior was formal, yet there was a clear sign of empathy in his eyes. "Mr. Villanueva, I am from the Department of Criminal Affairs. I am here to ask you a few questions about your... accident," e said in clipped speech. Mateo seems not interested, he just can get any strength to talk to anyone, because his mind's still filled with his wife cheating on him. "Mr. Villanueva, I understand this is a difficult time, but we need to discuss the accident. Can you tell me what happened?" Ms. Cynthia approached Ma
Present days.After 3 years...In the hot sun, the busy streets didn't care about Isabella who is slowly moving through the crowd. "Mateo and N-Nerissa? They are married now?" It's the words, Isabella keep on repeating, over and over again inside her head. "How? W-Why?..." She felt hopeless, looking for any sign of kindness from the strangers around her. She was thirsty and hungry, but her heart hurt more than anything else. She felt betrayed and lost, and every step was a big effort. Isabella thought that there's nothing more painful that what she experienced on the island after three years of being kidnapped there, but all the pain was nothing compared to what she felt now. Just when she felt like she might faint, she heard a voice she recognized. Just when she felt like she might faint, she heard a voice she recognized. "Are you okay, dear?" The voice sounded worried and when she looked up, she saw Mrs. Sullivan, a friend of her late mother, looking surprised at her messy loo