Chapter 30EmotionsWe left the office when I already cooled down. Naghihintay roon si Ivan na nakahawak ang kamay sa baywang habang ang isa naman ay sa telepono. He turned his back on us when he saw us."I told you no dirty business. Last month was horrible enough. Do something about it!" his voice echoed in the room.I covered Ice's ears when I realized how angry he was although he's trying his best to lower his voice down. Maybe it's his work. Kasasabi lang niya kanina na wala siyang aasikasuhin pero heto siya at namomroblema na.Bumuntonghininga ako."I can't go right now. Do you have your chains on me? I'm always locked like a dog! Fucking spare me just this once!"Sinulyapan ko si Ice na abala sa kaniyang tablet. Good thing I gave it to him earlier."Don't fucking bother me or else, I'll use all the power I have to seize you. You know me, Seis," aniya sa nagbabantang boses.Harshly, he turned the call off. Nahuli ko pang pinatay niya ang kaniyang cellphone.I cleared my throat.

Chapter 32RevelationHe brought me behind the dark coconut trees. He removed the cloth on my mouth. Laglag ang panga ko at tingin ko'y hindi na ako humihinga. I squealed loudly when I found my voice. He immediately covered my mouth again."Hm!" daing ko."Shh!" he said urgently.Hinubad niya ang suot na mask. Napatigil ako dahil sa pamilyar niyang mukha. A tear escaped my eye."Do you recognize me now?" he asked with a small smile.Humikbi ako. He freed my mouth. Pinigil ko ang pagpalahaw ng matinding iyak.I saw some light. Finally, I saw a light!"Don't shed a tear, please..." His thumb caressed my under eye."S-Seymour..." I sobbed.Napayakap ako sa kaniya dahil sa sari-saring nararamdaman. He hugged me back. Pinigil kong mapaiyak nang malakas dahil alam ko ang implikasyon kapag nahuli kami. Ivan's men were just scattered around the area and I'm afraid what they'll do to Seymour if they found out somebody else was able to enter this place."Ligtas ka na. I want you to know that wh

Chapter 34Regret"Hindi ako nagsisisi," my brother was straightforward.Umigkas ang kamay ko para sa isang sampal sa kaniya. Halos hindi ko na maipikit ang mga mata ko sa mga luhang bumubuhos. I can't believe I'm hearing this from him!He's already handcuffed but he's still thick-skinned like this. Pinili kong puntahan siya kaysa ang ospital kung nasaan ang anak ko dahil alam kong safe siya roon. I just need a clear answer why my brother became a threat to him."A-Ano bang nagawa ko sa 'yo para gawin mo 'to sa anak ko?!" may hinanakit kong tanong. "He's your nephew! How dare you!"Halos mabasag ang boses ko sa tindi ng aking pagsigaw. Inalalayan ako ni Seymour. If it weren't for his hold on me, I might be sitting on the floor now. Meanwhile, my brother just stared at me blankly."I won't exchange what happened into something else. Wala akong pagsisisi, Rigella," mariin na aniya."Kuya, naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo? Kapatid mo 'ko at kadugo mo si Ice! Pamangkin mo yung bata, Kuya!""

Chapter 36Mistress"The baby is strong. I think the spotting resulted from constant stress. May mga iniisip ka ba lately na hindi maganda ang epekto sa 'yo?" the doctor asked.I bit my lower lip nervously. "Uhm... Just a bit, doc. Bakit po? Magiging delikado po ba kapag... dinugo po 'ko ulit?"She fixed her surgical mask. "Well, I can only guarantee na malakas ang kapit ng bata. Pero kahit gano'n, you should take care of the baby and yourself as well. Hangga't maaari, umiwas ka sa mga bagay na nagbibigay sa 'yo ng stress. Don't exhaust yourself too much."Marahan akong tumango. "Naiintindihan ko po.""You told me this is your first check-up. I'll recommend you to our best OB so she can give you a full check-up. I hope I wouldn't see you here in the emergency again."I know she's smiling behind her face mask. Hindi ko man alam kung bakit may suot siya na ganoon, pero siguro protocol lang. It's weird, though. Pakiramdam ko, matagal ko na siyang kilala. Her eyes somehow reminded me of

Chapter 38FortuneTruly, there will always be one pivotal moment in our lives that will change our lives entirely.I took another spoonful of the food Ivan prepared for me. Hindi pa ako nakakalabas sa kuwartong kinalalagyan ko simula pa kahapon. Even to go see Ice, I couldn't do. Paano ko siya mahaharap kung ganitong bantay-sarado ako ng ama niya at hindi ako makabuo ng maayos na desisyon.Also, Ivan's guards were yet again, allover the place and I would immediately feel like shaking and have goosebumps seeing them. After my past encounters with people their calibre, it's difficult to just face them again. Hindi ko rin makukuhang isugal ang buhay ko at ng anak ko dahil ano na lang ang mangyayari sa akin kung pati siya, mawawala?Oftentimes, Ivan would be with me and would tell me sweet nothings that I didn't bother paying attention to. Masi-stress lang ako lalo pa kapag naiisip kong nagsisinungaling lang siya at mas lalo akong pinahihirapan. I was still reminded that I'm pregnant so I