CHAPTER 2
Inside the Lontoc family house. “Why do you want to go?” Ethan sounded distraught. “I already chased her away. I will meet with Mother Evelyn and discuss the events tomorrow. She will understand.” April shook her head. “Sister is out there in the streets. I need to go and beg her. I need to make sure she understands that I didn’t mean to hurt her!” she said, but he wouldn’t let her go. He turned to his mother, who immediately added her one cent into the matter. “Oh dear April, you have always had a kind heart,” she cooed. “Please stay the night here, and tomorrow, we will accompany you to the Rivera household. You should understand that you are pregnant and need to be under care. You can’t just go out in the cold.” “Please, honey, just stay the night,” Ethan begged, and though she pretended that she was upset, she nodded in agreement like a docile child. Immediately, a large smile pitched its tent on Ethan’s face, and he carried her bridal style into his room, muttering sweet nothings into her ears while she smiled coquettishly, happy to finally have him all to herself. Meanwhile, June was in the streets. She cried her eyes out as she took stock of what had befallen her while she trekked to her family house—the same place she vowed not to return to the day she got married to Ethan. How the tides had changed. June arrived at her family’s mansion late into the night. She knocked on the gates for a long time before the doors were opened for her. The security official at the gate took in her haggard look with confusion before he finally recognized her as the elder miss and let her in. However, unknown to June, her mother, Mrs. Evelyn Rivera, had been briefed by her daughter on the state of events and waited impatiently for her return home. When Mrs. Rivera heard the noise from the gates, she stormed out of the house with her husband in tow. Her face took an ugly turn as she took in her eldest daughter with contempt. “What are you doing here, June?” Her tone was calm, but her eyes were stormy. At the sight of her mother, June felt her world collapse and tears free-fall down her cheeks. “Mother…” she sobbed. “My husband…” “Speak clearly!” the older woman snapped. “Why did you leave your matrimonial home to cause such a ruckus at this time of the night?” She looked around. “Where is your husband?” “April…” she managed to squeak. “April is pregnant for Ethan. They cheated on me. He divorced me…” By now, June was weak, her eyes reddened, and her throat was tight. She didn’t know what she expected coming back to her family house, but nothing prepared her for the reply her mother gave her. “April is pregnant!” Mrs. Rivera’s eyes widened. “That’s such good news!” June shook her head, blinking in disbelief. Did her mother not hear a word of what she said? “April slept with Ethan,” she said again. “She is pregnant with my husband’s child! She slept with my husband!” June was hysterical. Only now did the fullness of what had happened become clearer and more real to her. April had stolen her husband and given him a child she couldn’t produce. She had bested her, stolen her life, her mother’s love, and now, her husband. “Oh, stop shouting, June!” her mother reprimanded her, and it felt like a slap to the face. “You were unable to give your husband a child.” A brief pause. “Didn’t you say he divorced you? So technically, he isn’t your husband anymore.” The older woman could barely hide her glee at the situation before her. She had always hated this child of hers, and it was hard not to be happy to see her in such a devastated and broken form. April had once again done the perfect job. June was losing her mind. “April slept with my husband,” she repeated like a mantra. “She got pregnant for Ethan, and that is all you can say?” “Stop acting like a spoiled brat!” Evelyn’s face lost its color. She hated the tone in which the little girl was speaking to her. “Do you know the amount of shame you have brought to the Rivera family? People are saying that the women in the Rivera family are barren because of you! Do you know how many suitors you drove from your sister because of your inability to conceive?” June’s lips trembled as her mother destroyed her with her words. “Ethan was going to cheat on you anyway! Do you think you have what it takes to keep a man?” She scoffed. “You should be happy he chose your sister instead of the countless women out there. Stop being selfish and congratulate your sister for taking the high road and bringing this family out of the shame you incurred.” Filled with rage, June spilled her thoughts. “You want me to congratulate the woman who destroyed my home? Did you send your daughter to ruin my marriage because you can’t stand the thought of seeing me live a happy life? Why do you hate me so much, Mother?!” “It is clear you are not in your right senses,” her mother fired back. “You have always been unreasonable from a young age. Getting lost and killing your father. You have been bad luck to the Rivera household. I refuse to let a curse back into this house.” Her tone was cold and left no room for refusal. “When you are done throwing a tantrum, get out of the house. You don’t belong here. You never did. Did you ask me why I hate you so much? It’s because you should have died. You should have died like your father and never returned.” “Don’t turn your back on me, Mother!” The woman turned around with a cold smile. “I already did,” she said, and before June could speak, she ordered the security to throw her out of the house. For the second time, June was dragged out of the house by the guards who had once protected her as a child and flung into the streets at the odd hours of the night. Shaking with anger and a thirst for revenge, June walked down the lonely streets, wiping the tears that freely flowed from her eyes with the back of her hands. “Hey, beautiful,” a voice said from the lurking areas of the road, and she froze. Three men suddenly burst out of the sidewalks, each wearing a matching smirk on their faces. Fear gripped her heart at the sight of them. “There she is. June Rivera, isn’t it?” one of them said, advancing towards her while she took a few steps back. “The Madam was spot on. She said we would find you here.” A smile. “She didn’t say how beautiful you were, though,” another said. “Maybe we could have a bit of fun before we dispose of her.” June felt her breath seize as she heard the word dispose. Were they trying to kill her? Who was the Madam they spoke of?Lucy sat in the hotel room, dressed in her blue dress and texting Liam for an answer. When her phone finally rang and Liam displayed on the screen, she excused herself, and stepped out of the room. "I've been texting you for the past thirty minutes!" Lucy whisper-yelled as soon as the line connected. "What's going on? The mother's have been blowing my phone and I think June is already suspecting me.""You can leave the hotel. I arranged a car to take you both to the venue. It's a white limo." Liam said, expertly avoiding Lucy's question. "You still haven't told me what's going on! I deserve to-" Two beeps and the call disconnected. Liam hung up on her. Lucy gritted her teeth, trying to control her anger. She couldn't mess things up. Not today. She would handle him later. Summoning a smile, Lucy returned to the hotel room."We need to leave. Our ride is here." She said and June squinted, raising her head from the document she studied for the past several minutes. "Ride?"Lucy's ey
June sat in her office chair when Lucy hurriedly entered her room. "We have to leave!" She said with urgency in her tone.June blinked in confusion. "Why? Is there a problem?""Yes! The president is coming to visit the South City project site with some key investors.""The president has requested you to take them on a tour on site. We don't have much time." June got on her feet, gathering her phone and some other essentials, alongside the project blueprints. "How long do we have?" She asked. "Three hours." Lucy said, "According to the news, you are to get something with the investors before heading to the site.""The president has assigned our makeovers. We need to leave immediately." "Makeovers?" June asked with a frown. "Why would we need makeovers?""We don't have time. I'll explain on the way." Just like that Lucy dragged June out of the office for a makeover. They arrived at a hotel just close to the airport and while June tried to gather her thoughts, the hired team of pro
April got into her hotel room dressed like a man. Her eyes were narrowed in anger as she threw down a lamp from the bedside table. "A surprise wedding, huh?" She gritted, blood burning with anger. "I'll give them a wedding to remember!" April flew into South City in disguise for a secret mission for the Cordel family. After seeing the press around her sister and Rafael's survival as well as her mother taking over the Lontoc and Rivera companies, she sought for an opportunity to come into South City and when the opportunity presented itself, she took it with both hands. However, due to her condition as a wanted person she couldn't go about freely for fear of getting caught as a dupe. The first few days, she spent carrying out her business with her colleagues until she had some free time. She decided to find out what her silly sister was up to and stalked her house only to find out she had long packed away. Apparently, June was living a comfortable life as the wife of Rafael while s
"You are going to be an older brother." June said to a young Luis during dinner a few weeks later. The entire family gathered for a small dinner. Evelyn, Lucy, and Carson were present alongside Mrs Beatrice who celebrated the wonderful news. "I'll be a grandmother!" Mrs Evelyn cried, "I'm so happy for you, my child."The evening was a cozy one as they all congratulated the couple on the news. "You are finally getting all the good things you deserve." Lucy said, "I'm so happy for you."The night was not over as June decided to add another joyful news to the equation. It was her mother's wedding anniversary and she hoped to brighten the day with some good news for Mrs Evelyn. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate with me." June said in a speech, "I want to use this medium to appreciate everyone for your intense support."She turned to Mrs Evelyn. "You've been the best mother to me, helping me through the hardest part of my life.""Child...""I just want to thank you. I am in a hap
The next few months were a slow recovery for Mrs Beatrice with the support and love of her family. With the constant reassurance and love of Rafael, and the entire family, she was gradually becoming stronger which was good news for the extended family who were finally in unity. Rafael returned to work and in a matter of three months, Ambrose Corporation was able to make a startling profit of over seven hundred billion, quickly retaking their position as one of the top corporations in the world. June was not left to the side, JL Architectures were making waves with the new South City project up and running and the public support. June and Rafael made their relationship public, garnering the support of the masses who followed, adored and loved the powerful couple. The news raved about how they survived the ghastly accident, their journey as a couple and their unconditional love for each other. Everything progressed well and on Luis's birthday, his parents and family showered him w
June woke up to soft kisses from Rafael who lay beside her. She smiled in her sleep as she blinked awake."Rafe-" She swooned, palming his face with a Loving gaze. "Hey, Wifey." He mused, "Good morning."Rafael proceeded to lavish kisses on her face, going in for her lips but she tactically avoided him. "I need to brush my teeth!" She said when he continued trying to kiss her on the lips. "I don't care-" Rafael mused. "Now let me kiss you." He demanded softly and she shook her head. The next second, June slipped away from the bed, successfully evading his kisses and giggling when her husband wore a duped expression. "I promise you can kiss me for as long as you want," she said, "Right after I freshen up." June hopped into the shower after taking care of her business, and halfway through it, the door opened and Rafael joined her inside. "Rafe-" June's eyes widened when she saw him walk in naked with his hard member in full display. "I'm only trying to freshen up too," Rafael mu
Liam returned to the Fernando estate and went to the dungeons where Lydia Cordel, the wife of the Late Andre Cordel was being held. "I was wondering when I'd finally see you," Lydia said as soon as she saw him at her gate. "I thought we were partners?""Do not forget your position, woman." Liam's voice was cold and aloof as he took on the aura of the cold mafia don he was. "Your life is a gift that could be taken at any time. You are advised to treasure it well." "If you wanted me dead I should be dead by now," Lydia said purposefully. "And I'm not dead.""Yet." Liam finished in a gritty tone. One of his men brought him a seat and he sat right in front of Lydia's cell, which was better than most since it had a bed and she received health care. "Tell me the truth and I might consider letting you keep your gift of life." He pulled off his black shades. "Did you or did you not kill your husband?""I did." She answered without skipping a beat. "And why would you do that?""Because he
June and Rafael spent their days together. It was like an unofficial vacation and honeymoon. Rafael made good progress on his health with June around to love and supervise him. Everything felt surreal for the love birds who had been apart for so long. One day, the doctor came in with good news, stating that Rafael was ready to leave the hospital, and scheduling him on weekly appointments to monitor his progress. June could barely hide her happy tears. It felt like everything was falling right into place. Although Rafael's legs were not strong, they were on the right path and she believed that in due time, he would learn to use his legs again. "I want to be discharged today," Rafael told the doctor, interlacing his fingers with June who sat by his bed smiling happily. "I can't spend a day more in this hospital." June laughed at the desperation in Rafael's voice. It's been a few rough weeks since she moved into the hospital with Rafael constantly trying to make love to her. They h
It was the early hours of the day and June was fast asleep when her phone started ringing. Having slept in from her busy night, she silenced the call and turned over, hoping to get some extra sleep before returning to Rafael's mansion. The phone started ringing again, disturbing not just her but Luis who turned in his sleep, disturbed by the noise. This time, June silenced the call, got up from bed, and headed out the balcony to answer the call. The phone stopped ringing before she could pick up and started ringing within a few seconds. It was Carson."You better have a good reason for calling me this early in the morning," June said once the call was connected, irritated from having her sleep disturbed. The line was flat. She could hear breathing but there was nothing. She removed the phone from her ears and checked if it was still active."Hello?" June said when she was certain the call was still connected. "Good morning, wifey." June stiffened upon hearing a gruff masculine