Lahat ng Kabanata ng Taboo: Ties and Sins : Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

Samuel awoke panting, his body drenched in sweat, the sheets coiling around his legs like serpents. The room was shrouded in darkness, but the image of Alyssa, with her back arched and lips slightly parted, calling out his name in a husky moan, still seared behind his closed eyelids. He rubbed his face with his hands, as if attempting to scrub away the vision. Damn. It was the third such dream of the week. The house was quiet, yet he could sense her presence in the neighboring room, warm, alive, within reach. The cold shower provided no relief. Neither did ten minutes of controlled breathing. The image of her dancing in his lap, the scent of her perfume, the way her eyes sparkled when she challenged him in the kitchen — everything was imprinted in his mind as if a curse. This needs to stop. As the sun rose, Samuel was already dressed and brewing coffee, resolved to avoid any situation like the one from the previous night. Alyssa appeared in the kitchen half an hour later, donne

Kaio, face down, had an arm draped over her waist, still possessive even in his sleep.She smiled, feeling a newfound power coursing through her veins.Moving cautiously to avoid waking them, Alyssa slipped out of bed and dressed in nothing but Samuel's shirt, discarded on the floor. She made her way to the kitchen and began to brew coffee, leaving the shirt open enough to reveal the curve of her breasts with each movement.That's how Samuel found her, leaning over the counter, her bare legs in full view, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. He paused at the entrance, his dark eyes taking in every exposed inch."Good morning," she said, handing him a cup with a smile that was pure temptation.He took the coffee, but not the smile."Alyssa... about yesterday..."It was incredible," she finished, sipping her coffee while her gaze remained on him. Any second thoughts?Samuel swallowed hard, his face tense. Before he could reply, the sound of heavy footsteps announced Kaio'

Three days had passed since Samuel had taken flight. Alyssa counted every hour, every minute, while Kaio kept her distracted with tantalizing stories and touches that left her skin aflame — but he never crossed the line. It was as if they both knew that any step taken without Samuel would amount to a true betrayal. When the front door finally creaked open that night, Alyssa was ready. "Where have you been?" Alyssa materialized in the entrance hall like a ghost, clad only in a sheer nightgown. Samuel halted in the middle of the hallway, his suitcase dropping to the floor with a dull thud. His face was etched with fatigue and something deeper - could it be regret? "Work," he muttered, avoiding her gaze. "You ran away." He finally turned his gaze to her, his dark eyes ablaze with a blend of anger and desire. "You're my stepdaughter, for God's sake." "You didn't raise me. We're not related by blood." Samuel let out a scornful laugh. "Do you think the world will care about these

The family farm's ballroom was aglow with warm lights, lively music, and the aroma of homemade food. Colorful balloons bobbed from the ceiling, and the main table showcased a massive cake, adorned with twinkling candles to celebrate Grandma Matilde's eightieth birthday. Ravi, who hadn't attended a family gathering in nearly five years, experienced a blend of nostalgia and discomfort as he walked through the gate. He parked the car and straightened his shirt, feeling the sticky summer heat cling to his skin. His eyes swept over the place, searching for familiar faces, until a loud, melodious laugh seized his attention. Gabi. She was near the drinks table, donning a snug floral dress that accentuated every curve of her body. The fabric hitched slightly above her thighs as she reached for a glass, and Ravi felt an involuntary tightening in his stomach. When did she become like this? "Ravi!" Uncle Carlos called out, hoisting a bottle of wine. "Come here, you slacker, let's make a

The family home's porch was illuminated by string lights, setting an intimate ambiance as the group of cousins gathered around the rustic wooden table. Empty beer bottles and wine glasses already littered the table, and the air was charged with the carefree energy of a summer night. Gabi was seated among her female cousins, chuckling at something she was barely paying attention to, as her eyes kept darting to Ravi, who was on the other side of the table, mingling with the men. He was clad in a black tee that highlighted his muscular arms, and the way he brought the beer bottle to his lips made her mouth go dry. "Let's play truth or dare!" suggested one of the younger cousins, brimming with excitement. A shiver ran down Gabi's spine. *This is my opportunity.* The others were in agreement, and shortly, the game kicked off with playful inquiries and harmless dares. Until it came to Gabi's turn. She fixed her gaze squarely on Ravi, her lips curving into a mischievous grin. "Truth or