Through The Looking Glass

It's Byenn and Alaric's 5th wedding anniversary when Alaric's first love came back. At noong gabing iyon, aksidenteng nahuli ni Byenn si Alaric sa loob ng banyo, minamasturbate ang sarili habang binabanggit ang pangalan ng ibang babae. "Byenn, nakakaawa si Reia ngayong bumalik siyang mag-isa," paliwanag ni Alaric. "Tinutulungan ko lang siya bilang kaibigan." Tumango lang si Byenn at tipid na ngumiti. "Naiintindihan ko," maikli niyang sagot. Makalipas ang ilang araw, muling nagpaalam ang lalaki habang nag-eempake ng gamit. “Byenn, nangako ako kay Reia na ice-celebrate ko ang birthday niya sa isla. Tinutupad ko lang ang pangako ko noon.” "Okay.” "Byenn, this party needs a capable assistant," hirit ulit ni Alaric bago ang isang malaking event, tila minamaliit ang kakayahan ng asawa. "Mas bagay si Reia kaysa sa iyo para sa role na ito." "Okay, go ahead." Nang mapansin ni Alaric na hindi na siya nagagalit, hindi na umiiyak, at hindi na naggagawa ng eksena, naguluhan ito. Lumapit ito sa kaniya at nagtatakang nagtanong, "Byenn, bakit hindi ka na nagagalit?" Of course, hindi na siya galit dahil aalis na rin siya. Pagod na siya sa stagnant nilang kasal. Habang abala si Alaric kay Reia ay palihim siyang nag-aral ng English saka kumuha ng IELTS, at pasimpleng nag-submit ng applications para mag-aral abroad. On the day her visa was approved, she threw out the divorce papers. "Huwag kang magbiro nang ganyan," sarkastikong tawa ni Alaric habang tinitingnan ang papel. "Paano ka mabubuhay nang wala ako?" Hindi na nag-abalang sumagot si Byenn. She just turned around, bought a plane ticket, and flew straight to Europe. The next time Alaric saw news about her, it was through a viral video online. Kitang-kita ang ganda ni Byenn habang naka-red dress, dancing freely in the sky above a foreign land. She looked so alive.

"You're saying?" "I'm saying, I know you're avoiding me." She froze. "I see the way you look at me Tarah." Their eyes met. But she quickly looked away. "Look at me darling." He said huskily. He lifted her chin. She finally looked at him in his soul sucking eyes. "Are you attracted to me?" "No." She lied. TARAH What do you do when you feel things you never felt before? Feelings you never thought you would feel, towards someone you shouldn't feel that to. Feelings you should never feel towards your husband's brother. And what if it happens, he feels the same. What do you do? What do I do? How could I keep myself away from him, when we live under one roof. How can I not get attached to him, when he's all I am into. He showed me my darkest desires I never thought I had. He awakened my deepest feelings. He opened the door to my heart, and my damn legs as well. He was the greatest temptation that I failed to resist. I never thought of getting married through a contract. More so of falling in love with my husband's brother. EZEKIEL The marriage contract wasn't entirely legal, but still, a grooms valid name was needed. There was no second bastard son at all, and I couldn't come up with a name. So, I put my name on it. Making Tarah married to me. Yes. To me. She's married to me. Which she didn't know. And wouldn't know. I know she's just adopted, but I'll still mess around her, as planned. And what could I do? She's undeniably very pretty. So pretty. I wanted her attention on me. I want her. I want my wife. I want what's mine. I'll do everything to get her.

"Baby... please don't do this to me! We can fix it! Just please! please don't do this" I beg to him while his packing his things. "I'm sorry Sandra... but I can't.  I can't spend my life to you anymore. Don't make this hard to us, just let me go." He said without any expression to his face. " A-are you leaving me because she's back? Are you  going to throw everything we've been through,  for the fast four years of our marriage? Just b-because.... just because your first love came back? You're throwing me out because of her? " Pagtatanong ko sa mahinahong boses at habang pinapatatag ang sarili ko na 'wag mag- breakdown sa sagot na maririrnig ko mula sakaniya. Tumigil siya sa pag-iimpake at tumingin sa akin ng deretso na halos ikatumba ko. "Yes. Everyone said she's already dead, everyone lied to me. Everyone fool me! I wouldn't marry you if i just known she's still alive. I'm sorry... Sandra I hope you understand." Saad niya. Hindi ko man lang siya nakitaan ng pagsisisi o kahit awa man lang para sa akin para sa nagawa niya. Tang*na! ginawa niya akong rebound. Natawa ako sa mga sinabi niya, puno ng galit at sakit akong tumitig sa kniya at mapait na ngumiti. "So all this time I am just your rebound? all this time pinaniwala mo akong mahal mo ako ! Pinaniwalaan ko lahat ng mga sinabi mo, pinakita at pinaramdam mo, pati mga pangako mong hindi naman pala para talaga sakin! "Wala kang puso Jiro, hindi ka makatao... Pinag-sisisihan kong nakilala kita at nagtiwala ako sa'yo... at lalong pinag-sisisihan kong ikaw pa ang minahal ko."     Saad ko na punong-puno ng galit ngunit sa mahinahong boses at walang emosyong mga matang nakatitig sa kaniya.

"Sa pagkakaalam ko ay sa ibang bahay na daw si Sir Lucian umuwi! Pakiramdam ko ay doon 'yon sa kabit nya!" Rinig kong ani ng isa sa mga kasambahay namin. "Hala! Edi grabi naman pala ang sakit non kay Ma'am Ivy. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay hinahatiran sya ni Manang ng pagkain kaso nagiimpake na ata sya para umalis." Tumingin ako sa labas ng bintana sa kalagitnaan ng gabi. Nakakapagod at nakakalungkot isipin ang mga bagay na pinagdaanan ko sa bahay na ito. Hindi ko alam kung makakaya ko pa ba, daig ko pa ang isang aso na naghihintay sa amo nya umuwi na sa ibang bahay pala nagpapahinga. Pinangako ko sa kanya at sa harap ng panginoon na sya lang at wala ng iba, magiging mabuting asawa ako sa kanya at sa magiging pamilya namin at higit sa lahat hinding-hindi ako magiging sagabal o magiging dahilan ng paghihirap nya. But after all that what did I get? Nothing. Our marriage quickly crumbled in an instant. It's been a few months since we last ate out. Actually, hindi ko alam kung matatawag ba iyon na date dahil ako lang naman kumain mag-isa. I waited for him to come but he didn't then I found out through his friends later that he was with his ex-girlfriend, having a date with her. That night was a mess, but also the night when I realized na ako lang ang nag iinvest sa relationship na 'to. Im the only one who actually cares and values our marriage. But I think it's time for Me and my Husband, Lucian Keanu Mancini, to go on our own ways. Sya bilang CEO while I chase my dream to become a Model.

Isabella Santos's world revolves around saving her sister Jenny from a rare blood disorder. Working multiple jobs in BGC barely covers the hospital bills. One fateful morning, her trembling hands spill hot coffee on Alexander Del Rosario's ₱50,000 suit. Instead of anger, his eyes hold an intriguing proposition. Xander's mother, Regina keeps arranging matches with socialites he can't stand. When he meets the fiery barista who stands up to him despite her mistake, he sees an opportunity. He offers Isa a one-year marriage contract worth ₱10 million - enough to save Jenny. But their undeniable chemistry challenges the contract's "no feelings" clause. During a company retreat in El Nido, one passionate night changes everything. Their fake relationship starts feeling real until Isa discovers documents linking Del Rosario Industries to her father's death. The shock triggers a panic attack, leading to her hospitalization where she learns she's six weeks pregnant. "Hindi ko kaya 'to. I need to protect my baby from them," she decides, disappearing without a trace. Three years later, fate reunites them at a charity gala. But Xander meets his daughter Sofia, the spitting image of him. "Paano mo nagawa 'to sa akin?" he confronts Isa. Before they can reconcile, and clear out everything, Marco emerges claiming to be Sofia's real father. Regina orchestrates DNA tests and custody battles. Through investigating his father's old records, Xander uncovers Regina's manipulation in destroying the Santos construction company. He confronts his mother: "Pinili mong sirain ang buhay nila dahil lang sa pride mo?!" Meanwhile, Isa faces kidnapping attempts and corporate espionage. The truth about Marco's involvement with rival companies comes to light. During a dramatic confrontation at the Del Rosario's mansion, Xander chooses Isa and Sofia over his empire. "Wala akong pakialam sa company. Kayo ang mahalaga sa akin."

WARNING: Contains explicit scenes, intense heat, and a hero who plays dirty. Proceed with caution. SYNOPSIS Si Ava Dominique ay dalubhasa sa pagtakbo. Iniiwasan niya si Zion Alexander—ang pogi, madiskarte, pero "unfiltered" na businessman—dahil sa isang malaking pagkakamali: Akala niya, si Zion ang boyfriend ng kanyang kambal na si Aria. Habang todo-kayod si Ava para suportahan ang palamunin at cheater niyang boyfriend, si Zion naman ay may ibang plano. He’s the twin who didn’t go to Harvard but built an empire through pure grit—and he’s been eyeing Ava since day one. Nang mahuli ni Ava ang boyfriend niya na may kargang iba, doon nagtapos ang pagiging "good girl" niya. In a moment of pure heartbreak, she crashes into the arms of the one man she thought was off-limits. "Z-Zion... stop! My sister... your brother..." Ava panted, her back pressed against the cold office door. Zion chuckled, a dark sound that made Ava’s knees melt. He trapped her with his massive arms, smelling of expensive bourbon and raw power. "My brother is a saint, Ava. But me? I like getting my hands dirty," Zion whispered, nipping her earlobe. "And for the record... Zane is at dinner with your sister right now. So, who are you moaning for?" Ava’s eyes widened. Maling kambal. Pero nang maramdaman niya ang kamay ni Zion na humahaplos sa kanyang hita, nawalan na siya ng lakas tumakbo. "You're... not Zane?" she gasped. "God, no." Zion smirked, his eyes burning with hunger. "I’m the twin who’s about to make you forget your own name." He claimed her lips in a kiss so wild, it tasted like a beautiful, forbidden sin. At doon nalaman ni Ava—ang "maling akala" pala ang pinakamasarap na pagkakamali sa buhay niya.