Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 61 - Chapitre 70

The drive back to the estate felt endless. Ainara’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. The photographs, the folder, Ponce’s voice whispering threats about Santino — it all replayed in her mind like a cruel loop. By the time she pulled into the driveway, her chest was tight, her breath shallow.The house was dim, quiet. Celia was asleep upstairs, Jaime nowhere to be found, and Andres had already left for Manila again. Only Santino was home, his voice echoing faintly from the living room where he played a video game, oblivious to the storm swirling around his sister.Ainara paused at the doorway, watching him for a moment. His face was lit by the glow of the screen, his expression carefree, innocent. She wanted to run to him, to hold him, to confess everything. But she couldn’t. He was too young, too fragile. If he saw those photographs, if he knew the truth, it would crush him.She turned away, her chest aching. She needed air. She needed someone.He

The Batangas estate was quiet, the late afternoon sun casting golden light across the garden. Celia sat beneath the shade of a bougainvillea, a porcelain teacup in her hand, her face pale but calmer than it had been in weeks. The illness had weakened her, but today she looked almost serene, her eyes soft as she watched the breeze stir the flowers.Jaime arrived straight from Bicol, his clothes still carrying the dust of travel. He paused at the edge of the garden, watching her for a moment. She looked fragile, yet dignified, the matriarch who had carried the Del Carmen name through storms.“Celia,” he said softly, stepping forward.She looked up, her lips curving faintly. “Hindi mo sinabing uuwi ka ngayon. Kumain ka na ba?”“I’m not hungry. Maybe later. Sina Ainara at Santino?”“They’re not home yet. Would you like some tea?” alok ni Celia.Tumango si Jaime at inutusan ni Celia ang maid na malapit sa kanya para kumuha ng tasa at hot water. “I need to tell you something.”Her eyes sha

The next day, the sun was bright, casting a golden glow over the city streets. Luigi’s, a well-known Italian restaurant tucked in a quiet corner, was bustling with the weekend crowd. Families laughed over pasta, couples leaned close over glasses of wine, and the scent of garlic and fresh bread filled the air.Mateo had barely slept the night before, haunted by the gossip he overheard from the maids at the estate. He wanted answers, but more than that, he wanted clarity. He wanted Ainara to look him in the eye and tell him the truth.When he picked up Ainara earlier, the room seemed to shift. She wore a simple dress, her hair tied back, her face only has light make up but composed. Mateo pulled out a chair for her.“I'm glad you agreed to lunch,” he said softly.Ainara smiled faintly, her voice calm. “It’s just lunch, Mateo. You don't have to thank me. Libre mo naman 'to," biro niya sa dating nobyo. Ngumiti si Mateo. At first, the conversation was light. They talked about the food, ab

The days after Andres’ call were heavy, but Ainara refused to collapse under the weight of her emotions. She had cried enough; now she had to act. The company was slipping, whispers were growing, and if she didn’t move quickly, her family’s legacy would be torn apart.She dressed with precision, her hair pinned neatly, her voice rehearsed in her head. One by one, she sought out the shareholders — not in the office, where gossip lingered in every corridor, but in their private spaces where decisions were truly made.The study smelled of old books and cigar smoke. Ainara sat across from him, her back straight, her tone firm. “You know what my father built,” she said, her eyes steady. “Don’t let outsiders dismantle it. Keep the shares within trusted hands. Give me time to stabilize things.”Mr. Villanueva nodded politely, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair. “You speak well, Ainara. You always did.” His smile was faint, unreadable. She left unsettled, unsure if she had c

The townhouse stood quiet, its façade unchanged, but the air around it seemed charged, alive with memories. Ainara arrived reluctantly, her heart pounding as she stepped out of her car. She hated herself for coming, hated Andres for forcing her, but she couldn’t stay away.Andres was already there, leaning against the doorway, his eyes dark, his posture relaxed but tense beneath the surface. When he saw her, his lips curved into a faint smile.“You came,” he said simply.Ainara crossed her arms, her voice sharp. “Don’t flatter yourself. Nagpunta ako rito dahil ang sabi mo, sasabihin mo sa akin kung sino ang nakabili ng shares.”He stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers. “Then let’s go inside. You’ll get your answers. And maybe… something more.”She glared at him but followed, her heels clicking against the floor as they entered. The air inside was thick with silence, the faint scent of old perfume lingering like a ghost.Ainara’s chest tightened as she looked around. The living roo