جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 56

Winston's POVI barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same three things. My grandfather's letter, his journals, and that photograph.For years, I believed I knew every important chapter of his life. Apparently, I didn't.The next morning, I arrived at the office before everyone else. The building was unusually quiet. No executives, no assistants, and no meetings. Just me.I placed my grandfather's journals on my desk one last time before closing them. There was only one person left who might know the whole story. I picked up my office phone."Benjamin.""Yes, Sir?""I need the contact information of Attorney Salvador."A brief silence followed. "The former family lawyer?""Yes.""I'll arrange it immediately."Less than an hour later, the elderly lawyer walked into my office. Attorney Salvador had worked with my grandfather for more than thirty years before retiring.His hair had completely turned white. His posture wasn't as straight as I remembered. But his eyes remain

Winston's POVThere were people you expected to see again. Business rivals, former colleagues, and old acquaintances. Then there were people you were certain had already become part of the past.Isabelle Reyes belonged to the second category.Or at least, I thought she did.For a brief moment, the ballroom disappeared, the conversations, and the music. Even the hundreds of guests inside the hall. All I saw was the woman standing at the entrance.She looked exactly the way I remembered, elegant, composed, and confident. Nothing about her had changed. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for me."Winston." Benjamin's voice quietly brought me back. "The guests are waiting."I blinked, right. The speech. I looked away from the entrance and forced myself to focus on the podium."Ladies and gentlemen..." I continued my opening remarks as though nothing had happened.Years of experience made it easy to hide emotion. No one noticed. At least, that was what I believed.~The applause echoe

Winston's POVThere was a quote my grandfather repeated throughout my childhood."The most expensive mistakes are the ones you realize too late."Back then, I thought he was talking about business. Failed investments, poor negotiations, and bad decisions.Tonight, for the first time I understood what he truly meant.~I couldn't stop thinking about what Windy had said."Kapag tapos na ang lahat... babalik na lang ako sa Batangas."She had said it so casually. So naturally. As though leaving was already decided. As though she had never planned to stay.The gala ended nearly an hour later. Guests continued thanking us before leaving one by one. I answered every handshake. Every congratulation. Every farewell. But I couldn't remember a single conversation because my mind was somewhere else.The drive back to the mansion was unusually quiet. Windy sat beside me, looking out the window. She smiled whenever she caught me looking. The same warm smile. Yet, it felt different now. Like someone