Kiera Cass

"Di ko siya jowa. Di ko siya crush. And yet, I let him do things to my body." Sabi nila, ang pinaka-masakit na heartbreak ay hindi ‘yung iniwan ka—kundi ‘yung never ka namang pinili in the first place. Nakatayo siya sa dulo ng reception hall, hawak ang baso ng alak habang pinapanood ang lalaking minahal niya ng matagal… na masayang ikinakasal sa iba. Kitang-kita niya kung paano nito tinititigan ang babae—isang titig na kailanman ay hindi niya natanggap. Masakit. Pero imbes na magmukmok, Cass did what any heartbroken girl would do—nagpakalunod sa alak. Kung hindi na siya ang pipiliin, edi dapat kalimutan na lang, diba? Kahit isang gabi lang. At dahil lasing na lasing siya, she made a reckless decision—she had s*x with a stranger. No names, no backstories. Isang taong hindi niya kilala. Pero paggising niya kinabukasan, mas matindi pa sa hangover ang sumalubong sa kanya. Ang lalaking nakasama niya sa kama? Hindi lang basta kung sino lang— Anak ng teteng! He’s the cousin of the man she had loved for years. Napatayo siya agad, hinatak ang kumot sa katawan, pero ngumisi lang ito. "Easy ka lang," he chuckled. "Last night, you were like a needy cat—clinging, pressing against me. Ngayon, parang gusto mo akong itulak sa bangin.” Nanlamig siya sa kahihiyan. Pero mas lalo siyang natulala sa sunod nitong sinabi— "Kung gusto mong kalimutan siya, I can help you. Pero hindi lang isang gabi. Hanggang sa hindi mo na maalala ang pangalan niya." Tatanggapin ba niya ang alok nito? O lalabanan ang tukso ng matamis na kasalanan?

Ernesta, the daughter of a wealthy family, had lived like an orphan for over a decade after being separated from her parents as a young child. At sixteen, she was finally found and brought home. Ernesta believed her life was starting anew, that she would finally be surrounded by her family's love. But she had no idea what awaited her: her brother's judgmental gaze, her father's disdain, and her mother's feigned affection. This was because someone had completely usurped her place in the family. Her foster sister, Kiera, though unrelated by blood to the Merediths, had been raised in luxury and had become a true lady. Ernesta, the real daughter raised in a less fortunate environment, wasn't considered noble enough, elegant enough, and was treated like an outsider. On the night of Ernesta's 20th birthday, also the night her engagement to Ryder was announced, he coldly stated, “The only one I've ever loved is Kiera.” Why hadn't he said it sooner? Why did he have to say it today, in front of so many guests, making her look like a fool? To make matters worse, her father, mother, and brother all turned their backs on her to protect the deceitful Kiera. Ernesta turned and walked away. This time, she was determined to let go of the family love she had always craved. She wanted to prove to the Merediths and Ryder that her life would be even better without them. But a serious car accident nearly claimed Ernesta's life. When she awoke, a mechanical voice echoed in her ears, “Ding! Congratulations, master, on successfully installing the Life-Altering System. Your brain is severely damaged, and your body is in a vegetative state. If you want a chance to wake up, you need to complete the mission assigned by the Life-Altering System.”