We Need

During the Thanksgiving holiday, my mother-in-law Mary came to visit us from Ohio. I took her to my husband Liam's new spa in Manhattan, Apropos. We enjoyed a basic facial treatment together, which I had purchased for $9.90 on an e-commerce platform. Right after the treatment, the beautician slapped a high-priced package down in front of us. She glanced at us contemptuously and said: "Do you really think you can enjoy our premium services with a $9.90 coupon?Stop kidding. You two look like you’re here to freeload. A single facial here costs thousands of dollars. This isn’t some free trial for cheapskates like you." I suppressed my anger and said coldly: “We have already paid for the basic treatment. How can you call this taking advantage for free?. Go get your manager.” A flashy woman walked over. Her arms were crossed. She looked down her nose at us. “I’m the Boss lady of this place.You and this old hag are just trying to get something for free, aren’t you? Let me be clear. You're buying this five-thousand-dollar hydration treatment today. Or you're not walking out that door.” A five-thousand-dollar hydration treatment? So this was it. This was why Liam suddenly got into the beauty industry. He didn't open a spa. He opened a scam shop to bankroll his mistress. I was about to call Liam, but she beat me to it, dialing a number. “Darling, you need to get down to the spa, right now. I've got a couple of hicks from the sticks making a scene, trying to get free services!”

Lyric Chelsy Makinano, an Engineering student who transfered from UST to UP Diliman because of a deal she made with her father. Para sa kanya, naniniwala siya na dapat pinakilinggan ng mga magulang ang mga opinyon ng kanilang anak. Hindi dapat natatakot mag salita ang mga kabataan sa mga nakatatanda, lalo na kung para naman iyon sa ikabubuti. She believe that no matter who you are, or how young or old you are, we should speak for ourselves because it's our right. Meanwhile... Sebastian Anghelo Monteferrante, a Medical student who's studying in UST. His family is leaving in the states, but for some reasons, he chose to go home in the Philippines and continue his studies. He's the type of person na palagig nandyan sa tabi niyo if you need a shoulder. He's willing to do everything, kahit na medyo baduy, para sa mahal niya. Naniniwala siya na, ang mga babae, ay dapat tinuturing ng mga lalaki na parang prinsesa, na magiging reyna din ng kanilang palasyo.

My five years of marriage to Elliot Kline turned out to be a cruel joke. "For tomorrow's monthly report meeting, I'd like Yvette to present your branding plan," Elliot said, not looking up from his desk. I put down the files I was organizing, certain I had misheard. "What?" "Yvette just joined the company. She needs a chance to prove herself. Your plan is perfect for that." He lifted his head, his tone brooking no argument. "But that's my entry for the Veriania Creative Competition," I protested. "You win awards every year. What's the harm in letting her have it this time?" He shrugged, adding, "We need to nurture new talent." I stared at the man with whom I had shared a bed for five years. His face suddenly felt so unfamiliar to me. "Do you know how many sleepless nights I poured into that plan? And you're giving it to a new intern?" "Don't be so petty. It's just a plan. My decision is made." My fists clenched, anger surging through me.

Noah sat beside me. He lit a cigarette. I didn't understand why I was here. But it was true, I'd almost forgotten about Anthony, replaced by fear and curiosity. "What are we going to do?" I asked. "I mean. You said you'd help me with my problem." "Your problem? You're just heartbroken. Not a serious issue. You just need to get revenge." "How?" Noah took a drag from his cigarette. He was handsome, but the vibe he gave off made me scared. "Send him the same kind of video he made with that other woman." "I have to hook up with a stranger just to get revenge?" This was a crazy idea. "No way." "Then just deal with it and accept the fact that you're not more interesting than your boyfriend's side chick." What the hell was that?! I wanted to get even, but I didn't want to do something insane. I grew even more agitated. My phone rang again. I looked at the screen. My mom was calling me. This was bad. She couldn't know I was with Noah, or she'd kill me.

On the very night Finn Chapman's first love got divorced, he threw the ninety-ninth divorce agreement at me. "Lisa's heart is broken. She can't move on. I have to take care of her," he said. Even our seven-year-old son tried to persuade me. "You should just agree to the divorce and leave," he told me. "Let Lisa move in. We don't need a maid like you anymore." Both father and son were certain I'd scream, cry, beg them not to throw me out. But I didn't. I simply nodded, quietly signed my name on the divorce papers, and left. Ten years later, my son became the top scorer on the SATs. During an interview, a reporter asked him, "What has motivated you to study so hard all these years?" He went silent for a moment. Then, in front of everyone, his eyes turned red. "Because I wanted to tell my mom," he said, voice trembling, "I've grown up now. Will you come back? Please don't leave me again."

On the day of the college entrance examination, my boyfriend's childhood friend realizes she has left her admission pass at home. He insists on going back to get it for her, but I try to stop him. In the end, she misses her liberal arts examination. Driven to despair, she jumps to her death. Later, my boyfriend and I are both admitted to Bloomdale University, the best university in the country. We build successful careers and earn seven-figure salaries—our marriage is perfect. However, on the death anniversary of my boyfriend's childhood friend, he stabs me repeatedly, taking my life. "It was your fault she died," he says. "If I had gone back to get Ginger's admission pass, she wouldn't have lost hope and taken her life." When I open my eyes again, I realize I am back on the same day of the examination. My boyfriend's anxious voice rings in my ear. "Amelia, I need to go back to get Ginger's examination admission pass." This time, I smile and say, "Go ahead. Please be careful."

I was supposed to marry Marco DeLuca, the man of my dreams, in just three days. He was the mafia don of the South—dangerous, ruthless, the kind of man everyone warned you about. And I came from the Moretti family, just as powerful, a dominant force in the North. But just when I thought I had it all, fate had other plans. What was supposed to be a simple drug deal negotiation—one Marco had asked me to cover—quickly spiraled into a gunfight. In the chaos, a bullet tore through my chest. Marco made sure everyone in that room paid for my accident, but no matter what he did, it didn’t change the fact that I was lying here, wondering if my life would ever be the same. And it only got worse. In the haze between consciousness and dreams, I overheard Marco speaking with his family doctor. “After removing the bullet from Miss Moretti’s chest, we found fragments near her heart,” Dr. Levois said. “She may need another surgery.” “There’s no need for another surgery. As long as she can breathe, I’ll take care of her for the rest of her life. But if you treat her now, she’ll wake up and ruin everything I’ve planned.” Marco’s words hit me hard. “And I promised Camilla I would bring our daughter, Violetta, into the family,” he continued. “It’s better this way. Gianna won’t be a threat to her then.” So the wedding I’d longed for, the love I once believed in, was nothing but a cruel illusion. What Marco wanted, what I thought was mine, had twisted into my worst nightmare. If this was what Marco truly wanted… so be it. It wasn’t like I cared anymore.

Assortments of emotions were battling inside my heart and mind on the day of my wedding day. I married, my best friend, Liam Stevens, who was 8 years older than me. He was also from a wealthy and known family, "The Stevens" my father's business buddies. Liam became my best friend at the same time as my brother since we were young. He maybe older than me, but I loved him for a very long time. And marrying him was my gigantic fantasy, but the moment it happened, I didn't know what emotions should I feel, I was happy at the same time, I was hurting inside because everything altered when our families disclosed our wedding, it was an arranged marriage, and Liam wasn't happy with our parent's decisions. Liam already has someone in his life, it was, Naila, an exquisite famous model. And I had nothing against her, she was absolutely a perfect woman, while I was only an inexperienced successor of my family a soon to be CEO. Liam was against the wedding, but whether he likes it or not, he married me for the sake of her mother's condition, who has a disease. After the wedding, I tried my best to do what a perfect wife should do, I did everything in the house while studying, but Liam treated me like a ghost and forgotten everything we used to be. He was cold as a block of ice. But one thing changed everything, I found myself sleeping with a stranger, and gotten pregnant... and everything began to turn upside down... I need to hide it from my husband...

After I landed in the hospital—again—from working myself into the ground, Jacob swore he was done playing house stockbroker. "Starting tomorrow, I'll do anything. Haul bricks, deliver pizza, whatever. I'm not letting you carry this alone." His eyes were glassy as he stormed out of the exam room like he was about to save the day or something. Then the doctor walked in and handed me a report. I was pregnant. Again. Heart racing, I chased after Jacob... and froze. He was standing outside some super VIP room. The same guys who used to bang on our door for money were suddenly all respectful. "Mr. Klein, should we block her door again tomorrow?" Jacob twirled our engagement ring around his finger. "No need. She already lost one baby paying off those debts. The test's over. Time she knew who I really am." Then my best friend—Lillian Morvain—strolled out and wrapped her arms around his waist like she belonged there. "Jacob, don't go soft. Your tests usually last at least five years. What if she's just another gold digger? Plus... I'd miss you." He hesitated. Smirked. "Fine. We'll do it your way. She's not going anywhere anyway." I stood there, clutching my stomach, sliding down the wall like the air had been punched out of me. Later, I pushed open the office door. "Dr. Spencer, I need a termination. Three days from now."

  Lyra Daniel, an aspiring fashion designer, is on a mission to save her sick husband, Felix Thomson. Lyra crosses paths with Dante Cooper, a billionaire heir in need of a contract wife to appease his meddling family.    “I will give you $500,000 once we get married and $500,000 after the divorce is finalized,”  Lyra couldn't accept the deal because of her love for Felix.    But when Felix finds out about the contract...   "I swear to you, Lyra. I will never let you down. If you give me this second chance at life, then I promise you my life because…”   Unknown to Lyra, Felix's plea is part of deception to escape their marriage. She soon finds herself trapped in Dante's world, where he and his family view her as nothing but a gold digger.    Felix stopped responding to Lyra’s call, knowing that there was a high possibility that Dante wouldn't pay the balance of the contract. He then reconciled with his family, leaving Lyra divorced, alone, and depressed.    Dante finds out the truth, but it was too late. However, he refuses to give up on finding her.   Years later, Lyra has transformed into a powerful, celebrated figure in the fashion industry. She has rebuilt her life, but the scars of betrayal run deep.   Fate brings her back into the lives of both ex-husbands. Dante, now living in the same apartment building to escape his grandmother's matchmaking schemes.   "That scent… it reminds me of someone I used to know,"    Meanwhile, Felix, driven by selfish motives, seeks to exploit Lyra again.   "Lyra, we had something special. Let's not waste it,"  Will Lyra seize the opportunity for revenge? Or will the past pull her into deceit once more?