Novel & Cerita I Was Never There

Ysabelle Andra Guerrero never thought her love life would become a business transaction. As the only daughter and heiress of an airline company, she lived independently— an adrenaline junkie, a traveler, and someone who swore never to open her heart yet but her world turns upside down when her family uses her for a deal: a marriage contract to secure a business partnership. Worst? She must marry Aldrich Evan Lorenzo— the man who left her without any explanation. Aldrich, heir to a well-known travel company, faces his own crisis. With his family’s business on the brink of collapse, he agrees to the arranged marriage, unaware that the bride-to-be is the woman he secretly loved and lost. Bound by a contract with clear terms: 1. End the marriage once the Lorenzo company recovers. 2. Act as a powerful couple in public. 3. No strings attached. Neither of them wants to say “I do,” but both have too much to lose. On their wedding day, chaos strikes when Sarina Fructuoso—a famous dermatologist, crashes the ceremony, claiming she’s pregnant with Aldrich’s child. The revelation stuns everyone, especially Ysabelle but gives Aldrich the benefit of the doubt, suspecting a setup. As they navigate a web of lies, public scrutiny, and hidden feelings, their scripted affection begins to feel real. Behind the staged smiles and cold arrangements, they find themselves drawn back to each other. What started as a contract becomes a fight for something deeper—a second chance at love neither of them expected.

"I had you once and I'll definitely HAVE YOU BACK AGAIN, and that's a PROMISE." My whole body shivered as he said those words... But I won't show him that I'm scared. I looked at him straight in the eyes with so much bravery even though I'm scared to his so called PROMISE. "You won't." I don't want to go back in his arms again. I don't want to go back to the person who broke my heart before... I don't know why he wants me back but on thing is for sure... I'm not the BILLIONAIRE'S QUEEN even from before up until now...

I thought I could bury the secret that I have been keeping all my life That was what I assumed. There really is no secret that you can't unravel. I'm Almira, this is our story.

"Chloe Hades Mondragon, do you take Mr. Hanz Levi as your beloved husband for the rest of your life till death do you part?" Halos mahilo ako sa sobrang kaba ng sandaling sambitin ng pari ang mga katagang Yun, hindi ako makasagot na Tila ba nalunok ko na ang aking dila. "Ms. CHLOE I will repeat... Do you take Mr. Hanz Le-" Para akong nagising sa isang panaginip ng biglang may pwersang humapit sa bewang ko, at bumulong sa tenga ko. " What are you doing! Do you want to D*e!!" He whisper cold in my ears making me feel the shivers all over my body, my hands which is holding the ring shakes as i look at the man's dark eyes, glaring at me.. Because of fear I was force to marry him.. "I--I do" I lost, I can't run away from him now..if I know his real identity before then I shouldn't agree with this Arrange marriage... Now I'm OFFICIALLY married to him, I'm afraid that I can't live my life like I used to.. My family are in danger, my life is not the same.. Why did all of this happen to me? What did I do wrong to deserve all of this.. I'm a good person, I didn't hurt anybody.. Why me? I want to live a normal life, I want to study and travel all around the world, I want to have a job, I have a lot of dreams for me and my family.. But why all of that change? All my dreams crumbled that easy.... I guess I need to deal with this, I need to be strong.. Please hold on Chloe.. You can survive with this.

If I just knew that youʼre my best friend crush I should avoid you in the first place, I shouldnʼt entertain you, I shouldnʼt give myself a chance to love you. But what can I do if I already inlove with you?

I WAS walking confidently on the red carpet. Today is the event of the Cohen Modelling Agency. The paparazzi immediately went after and lots of flash stroke in my eyes. I'm a bit nervous while walking in the midst of the red carpet. I chose the right path. This is what I want. Even though I chose my career and my unborn child, my heart was still empty. I opted to leave him and break up with him. I opted all of this that's occuring around me. Fame, money, and being a beautiful woman. Until I'd decided to walk inside the event. I grasp my clutch tightly when I saw how exquisite the ambience of it. The huge chandelier at the center and waves of people were chattering inside. I held up my chin and continue to walk and I saw Sophia walking towards to my direction. "You're just in time," she exclaimed. "Come with me..." "Okay..." Nakita ko yung pamilyar na lalaki na nakatayo. I felt my heart thumping so crazily. And butterflies were twisted in knots inside of my stomach when our gaze met. It's been a days... I haven't seen him. The last time I saw when I broke up with him inside of his office. My hands began to shudder in nervous. And his wife is there beside him. I smiled. This is what I want, right? To let go of him? "Oh, Miss Portugal," he acknowledged. "Good evening, Mr. Cohen..." We used to be sweet with each other. He used to snake his arms around my waist and whispering to me all the sweet things. But that was before... I knew we can't continue this kind of relationship. It is too forbidden. Too forbidden to taste because I'll get addicted to it again and again.

I thought the divorce would set me free. I thought walking away from my husband would finally give me peace. But I didn’t expect him—my cold, sinfully dangerous stepbrother—to be the one waiting on the other side of my freedom. Rage Roswell doesn’t ask. He takes. And the moment he found out I was no longer married, that I was vulnerable, alone, easy to steal… he stepped in like a storm I couldn’t escape. He pinned me with those cold eyes and said one thing: “You’re mine now.” I should’ve run. I should’ve fought the tension, the heat, the hunger he ignites with just a stare. But he knows every weakness I try to hide. Every tremble. Every breath. Every part of me I shouldn’t be giving him. After the divorce, I thought I was reclaiming my life. Instead, I walked straight into the hands of the man who’s willing to burn everything—everyone—just to claim me. And this time… He won’t let me go.

"Get up, I'm hungry. Cook for me NOW!" The authoritative tone jolted me awake, not giving me a moment to freshen up or even change. We don't sleep side by side; he stays in the master bedroom while I occupy the guest room. He can't stand being near me. It hurts deeply when those words come from him, but it's a recurring pattern. I hurriedly made my way downstairs, still tying the robe around me. In the kitchen, I began preparing his breakfast. You see, I'm his secret wife. No one knows except our parents and a few friends. Since we got married, not a day goes by without him reminding me that he doesn't love me. Not a day goes by without him hurting me. But that's alright because, as I've mentioned, I love him so much that I'm willing to do anything just to earn his love in return. A single tear escaped and fell onto the clove of garlic I was chopping. I quickly wiped it away. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Manang watching me. I took a deep breath to regain my composure before turning to her with a forced smile. "I'm sorry; I got emotional over garlic." I lied.

"If choosing the darkness is the way to be with you, then I will. It's either I'll face the same faith or I'll die in peace and let your shadows buried in the depth-down truth of my mind. I want to taste your deadly bloodline then if this is the last time." "Roses are Red, Violets are Blue Baby, I'm sorry? But I need to let you go."

I am a headstrong woman. A black ship to my family. And a rebel to the society. Not until I met a stranger who blames me for something I am not even aware of and the next thing I knew, I became his prisoner.