"I knew it..." Nerissa said as she face Nicholas who was surprising looking at her."N-Nerissa, have you been there the whole time?" Nicholas stuttered, now feeling tense and scared at she heard everything. "Did you—""Oh yes! I heard your conversations. So... you and Aunt Linda, how could you betray the company, Mateo, especially Aunt Cynthia who believe in you and treat you very well?" Nicholas swallowed hard as he looked around before he gently pulled Nerissa inside his office and she just let him do that. "Nerissa... I... I didn't want things to turn out this way. But my mother, she's always had a hold on me. I didn't know what else to do." Nerissa stared at him and laughed. "Come on, Nicholas! I understand that you feel trapped now, but there's no use of denying or covering up the truth. I am your friend right? Then... why would you tell me instead what's the reason why you are planning those things?" She smirked at him, and Nicholas doesn't has a choice but to sighed and tell

Mateo burst through the door, his face etched with worry, while he's still holding his phone. "Mom! Have you seen Isabella? She never showed up." Mateo's mother who's emerged from the living room, a look of concern quickly replacing her initial surprise. She didn't expect that his son will suddenly came back home with that kind of expression on his face. "No, dear. I thought you two were enjoying your anniversary dinner." Dalia and Rose also approached them as they heard about it. "Sir. Mateo? Why you are here? I thought that you're with Isabella," Dalia asked in concern. Mateo turned towards them. "Yeah... But did Isabella say anything to you about changing plans? Don't you receive any message or call from her?" Both Dalia and Rose shook their head, own worry mirroring theirs. They can't believe that for the first time Isabella's the one who's late on their date. "No, Sir. Mateo, Isabella was so excited about tonight. She left saying she couldn't wait to see you," Rose responde

Mateo's mother, gently placing Amara back in her stroller, watching Mateo pace back and forth by the massive windows overlooking the mansion's gardens. "Dalia..." she called Dalia."Please, take a look at Amara for a while," she said softly before heading to where Mateo is. "Son...Can we talk?" Mateo whirled around abruptly, his eyes bloodshot and filled with emotionless frustrations. He didn't respond, yet he walked towards the living room at sat down on the sofa, Ms. Cynthia the. follow him. "I know what you're facing, Mateo. It's really not easy for all of us. If you are problematic, how about when it comes to Nerissa, right? She's Isabella's sister, yet she can still choosing to be strong for other important things," she tried to explain. Mateo just staring the the floor. "Mateo, son... Please, talk to me." "Talk? What's there to talk about? It's been days, Mom. Days without a single word about my wife or Roman. The police—" Mateo's voice cracked. "They have nothing!""You

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

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