Lahat ng Kabanata ng Bound by His Promise: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Three months later.Ang tahimik ng umaga, pero hindi ‘yung tahimik na mapayapa — yung klase ng katahimikan na may laman. Rhea sat by the wide glass window of her condo, a mug of half-finished coffee in her hand, watching the city stretch awake.The skyline looked the same, pero iba na siya. Every honk, every sunray filtering through the blinds reminded her that she’d survived something big.Jake’s trial was done. The cameras had moved on. The headlines that once screamed her name had been replaced by newer scandals.Pero minsan, tahimik lang siyang napapahawak sa dibdib — parang may naiwan pa ring sikip doon.She’d thought justice would feel lighter than this.Lucas appeared from the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, still wearing that serious-but-soft expression she’d learned to read.“Coffee refill?” he asked, voice low, careful, as if even his tone might disturb her peace.Rhea smiled faintly. “Half lang. Hindi ko

RHEA’S POV“Velacruz Holdings Headquarters, 8:47 A.M.”The elevator doors slid open, and I felt my stomach twist. The moment I stepped inside the building, I knew something was wrong. Everyone was whispering, rushing, panicking. The usual calm, polished rhythm of the company was gone—replaced by chaos.Mia, our head of operations, met me halfway through the lobby. She looked like she hadn’t slept either. “Rhea, thank God you’re here,” she said breathlessly. “IT’s been working since dawn. Someone hacked into the internal servers—Project Promise files, confidential contracts, even board communications. Everything.”Lucas walked beside me, quiet but alert, his phone in hand. “Any trace?” he asked.Mia shook her head. “Not yet. Whoever did it knew exactly what they were doing.”I caught my reflection on the glass wall—messy hair, pale skin, red eyes from crying. Velacruz heir, marketing executive, and now the daughter of a man a

RHEA’S POVHindi ko alam kung anong mas nakakabaliw — yung tahimik na opisina na punô ng tensyon, o yung mga matang nakamasid sa’kin habang tinatapos ko ang report para sa quarterly meeting. Ilang araw na akong hindi nakatulog nang maayos. Mula nang lumitaw si Jake, parang lahat ng rhythm ko sa trabaho at sa buhay biglang nawala sa tono.“Miss Rhea, nandito na po si Sir Jake,” sabi ni Mina, ang secretary, sabay ngiti na parang alam niya kung anong effect ng pangalan na ‘yon sa akin.Huminga ako nang malalim. “Tell him I’ll be right there.”Pagpasok ko sa boardroom, nandoon si Jake, nakaupo na parang pag-aari niya ang buong lugar. Nakasuot ng dark navy suit, walang kasing composed. Pero yung tingin niya— sharp, confident, at may halong familiarity na ayaw kong aminin.“Long time no see,” he said, smirking. “You look… different. Stronger.”“People change,” sagot ko, pilit na kalmado. Pero sa loob ko, nag-aalab na naman ang mga alaa

RHEA’S POVThe explosion ripped through the night like thunder tearing the sky apart. From my window, I saw the orange glow blooming from the direction of De Silva Tower — Lucas’s building.“Lucas!” I screamed, grabbing my coat and running out the door without even locking it.Every step felt like an eternity. My lungs burned, my heart pounding louder than the sirens wailing in the distance. People were screaming, the streets chaotic. By the time I reached the site, smoke already filled the air. Fire trucks, ambulances, flashing red lights — it was madness.“Excuse me! Please, my—someone I know is inside!”A firefighter blocked my way. “Ma’am, we can’t let anyone in. The east wing just collapsed!”“No! You don’t understand! Lucas is in there!” I shouted, my voice cracking.He hesitated, then looked away. “We’re still pulling people out. Please stay back.”I wanted to push through, but my knees gave out. I fell t

RHEA’S POVThe elevator ride up to the 45th floor felt like an eternity.Every floor that dinged made my heart race faster.Today wasn’t just another meeting — it was the confrontation we’d both been dreading.Lucas was beside me, still pale from the accident but refusing to rest.His hand brushed mine briefly, a silent reassurance.“You don’t have to do this,” he murmured.“Yes, I do,” I replied. “They used me once. I won’t let them do it again.”When the elevator doors opened, the familiar scent of coffee and expensive perfume hit me. The boardroom was already filled — men in suits, women with clipped smiles. The kind of people who could destroy a life with a single signature.Chairman Ortega, the oldest and coldest among them, gestured toward the seats.“Ms. Villareal, Mr. Delos Reyes. We’re glad you could finally join us.”I smiled faintly. “I’m sure you are.”We took our seats. The long mahogany table