Lahat ng Kabanata ng SOFT CURVES: Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

Vincent’s words hung in the air as he stood by the gate, his posture rigid and authoritative as he looked down at Isla. “I’ll be back tomorrow to see Matthew,” he said with an almost casual finality, as if his presence was something she should accept without question. His voice, once filled with raw emotion, had now returned to its usual sharpness—an arrogant edge that she recognized all too well. It was the same tone he used when he wanted to take control, to remind her of the authority he believed he still held over her life. The shift in his demeanor didn’t go unnoticed, and Isla couldn’t help but feel a wave of irritation wash over her.Isla’s eyes narrowed, a sense of resolve building within her. She had already allowed Vincent to breach the walls she had worked so hard to build, but she wasn’t going to let him cross that line again. She had her own boundaries, her own rules now, and Vincent would have to understand that. With a controlled breath, she responded, her voice now

PRESENT DAY... Ruby entered his room a few minutes after their earlier conversation. This time, something had shifted—her usual sternness was replaced by a softer, almost tentative demeanor. Vincent noticed it immediately, even from behind the rim of his wine glass. The sharp edges of her expression had eased, the weight of her usual authority seemingly lifted. It was as though she had stripped away her armor, leaving only vulnerability in its place. For a fleeting moment, he wasn’t looking at the imposing figure he had known his entire life but at a mother who seemed unsure of how to bridge the growing chasm between them.“Vincent,” Ruby whispered, her voice barely audible, yet it carried an emotional charge that pierced through the thick silence in the room. But he remained unmoving, choosing to stare into his glass rather than meet her gaze. It wasn’t defiance; it was weariness, a reluctance to open wounds he had barely begun to patch. He took another measured sip of his win

The days passed quickly, and life in Cavite began to feel like a routine for Isla. She had settled into their new home, which was modest yet cozy, and tried her best to adapt to the changes. Her father had started a small business at the market, selling rice and groceries, which kept both him and Aunt Aida busy most days. Isla appreciated the quiet moments when they weren’t around, giving her the space she needed to think. Yet, despite the peacefulness of her surroundings, Isla couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that had been growing inside her.One morning, as she went about her chores, she was suddenly struck with a severe dizziness that made her knees buckle. The world around her seemed to spin uncontrollably, and nausea surged through her in waves. She gripped the nearby table for support, her stomach twisting uncomfortably. Isla wondered what she had eaten that could have triggered such an overwhelming reaction. She glanced over at the food she had prepared earlier, but nothing s

“Enough, let them go. Even if we’re poor, my mom and I won’t abandon you,” Cherry said softly, her voice filled with empathy as she gently rubbed Isla’s back. She could see how broken Isla was, her eyes red from crying, her hands trembling with the weight of her emotions. Cherry, who had always been a pillar of support, knew how hard it was to watch someone you care about suffer like this. She had been with Isla through every high and low, and now, in this painful moment, she could only offer her comfort, trying to ease the pain that Isla felt deep within her.They were in the treehouse, a place that had become a silent witness to so many of Isla’s emotions over the years. It was the place her feet instinctively led her to, a refuge where she could be alone with her thoughts. After everything that happened at the Del Carmen mansion, Isla needed a space to process her confusion, her heartache, and her sense of abandonment. The treehouse, with its quiet solitude, seemed like the on

The idea of working for him, of seeing him every day in an official capacity, stirred a whirlwind of emotions inside her—emotions she had worked so hard to bury over the years. The anger, the frustration, the lingering hurt all surfaced at once, and she couldn’t fathom why he would make such an offer after everything that had happened between them.Vincent turned to face her with a calm expression, his demeanor unwavering. “You heard me,” he replied, his voice steady and assured. “You’re my new secretary. I’ll wait for you later; come in even if it’s already afternoon. We have a lot to do,” he said, already making his way toward the door. It was clear to him that this was just another way to reconnect with her, to bring her back into his life. Even if it was a professional relationship, it was a start, and he wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away without giving it a shot.Isla stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing as her emotions tangled with one another. Her heart p