Semua Bab The Knot of Marriage: Bab 101 - Bab 110

—ALORA EUNICE’S POV—“Alora must marry me,” Oliver said, playing with the pen between his fingers.“What?” I said, frowning at him.“You’ll be free off charges when you let me have Alora Eunice.”“No,” Dad firmly said.Oliver scoffed, stood and buttoned his suit, “then see you at court.”We’re left in silence. I looked at Dad and Grandpa but they exchanged glances that they were the only ones who understood that look.“Care to explain, dad? Grandpa?”Our family was near bankruptcy. The assistance Sevillas offered wasn’t for free. The interest piled up that—we owed them a lot. Dad and Grandpa didn’t have a choice five years ago but to accept it. We already consulted our lawyer and the only remedy we could apply is lowering the weight of compensation but still, Dad and Grandpa have a high possibility of going to jail. “Curse them. They tricked us! That b*stard Oliver is such a snake,” Grandpa suddenly weakened and almost fell but Dad caught him on time. “Dad…” I said with the thought

WARNING: Mature content, abuse, sexual assault (Read at your own risk)—ALORA EUNICE’S POV—A month later…“I told you not to wear that kind of clothes. Too revealing,” Oliver said when we attended a party of one of his friends. “You’re not listening to me.”I didn’t say a word. We will just argue. He’s so possessive. So controlling that I felt so suffocated. Even the food I eat, he has a say on it.“I don’t want you to look so bloated during our wedding. Don’t eat that junk,” he said when I had a cake, burger, and pizza on my plate. I was about to protest but he snatched the plate on my hand. I felt so upset that I didn’t enjoy the party. He’s always jealous that we always argue when we get home. He sometimes hurt me physically but I could still tolerate it, but…One night, someone sexually insulted me but instead of getting angry at the maniac guy, Oliver got mad at me. When we got inside the bedroom, he pulled me by force and threw me on the bed.“I told you not to wear that! You

—ALORA EUNICE’S POV—“Archi!” I shouted the moment I woke up from a deep sleep. I looked around, and I’m still inside the bedroom.Despite the pain all over my body, I crawled until I reached the door. It’s locked!“H-Hey! Oliver! Open the door! Where’s my son? Where’s Archi? Archi? What happened to him? Let me out! Open the door!”I saw him collapse before I fainted. What if something worse really did happen to my son?! I won’t forgive myself.“Mom…” I heard a voice outside.“Archi? Is that you?”“Mom… are you okay?”“Y-Yes…” I lied. “Are you?”“I’m… I’m okay… uncle… uncle Oliver said he will let you go if you… if you behave.”“D-Does… he hurt you?”“No, mom. I’m fine.”I was so relieved to hear that. “Don’t make him mad, okay?”“Okay.”“Now, go to your room.”When I heard his footsteps, and the opening and closing of his bedroom door, I tried my best to stand up and went inside the bathroom. I double locked the door and removed all of my clothes. I soaked myself in a warm bath. I c

—ROME ARCHILLUS’ POV—Eight minutes before the encounter with the kid…“Mr. Reyes,” I said, upset with the poor presentation. My time is wasted.“Y-Yes sir?”“You and your team are all fired.”I already gave them chances and enough time to prove themselves yet, what did they do? Nothing. No improvement at all.“What’s my next schedule?” I asked my secretary, Gaille, who followed me behind after I left the presentation room. “You have a meeting with Mr. Ocampo in two hours, and a proposal review with the finance team at four.”“How about the contract papers?” I asked, glancing at my wrist watch—enough time to finish other work.“On your desk, sir.”My phone rang and I answered it.“Any update?” I asked Finn, my right hand.[“Sir, I apologize but–”]“Finn, I need that land. I want it. Do whatever it takes to possess the land. The cost is the least of my concern,” I sighed in discontentment.[“Sir, the land is not for sale and the owner strictly told us to forget about it.”]“Even if we

WARNING: Mature content, abuse (Read at your own risk)—ALORA EUNICE’S POV—“A-Archi,” I stuttered as I was surprised by this sudden interaction. This is the closest one so far since I came back. My heart pounded so loud that I am afraid he might hear if I wouldn’t step away from him. “I mean… Mr. De Herrera.”He looked away when I said that. I was so startled that those words just came out from my mouth. “T-Thanks,” I added.He fixed his wrinkled suit with a straight face and proceeded inside without a word. My lips formed into a thin line—I composed myself and went inside to meet my clients. In a most awkward coincidence, his table is just next to ours.I could easily see him in my peripheral view but I ignored him. I need to focus. Focus, Alora. You’re working.I was distracted again when a familiar face showed up and sat on the chair across Archi—I mean, Rome De Herrera. I should practice calling him by that name. He wouldn’t be pleased if he heard me again saying his nickname. I