The movements, exchanges of conversation, and the beeping of various devices reverberated in Orion's ears like echoes from a dream. Erin's tears haunted his thoughts, her pleas for him not to let go echoing endlessly. Each time she cried, his heart sank deeper, consumed by worry. "Wake up, Orion… Wake up!" The urgent call seemed to emanate from everywhere—Erin's voice and even a faint whisper within his own mind. He needed to rise, to return to the woman he loved. It was as if an enchantment had ensnared his skin, holding him captive in its grasp, steadfast and unyielding. With deliberate slowness, he unfurled his eyelids, welcomed by the scene of Marco's fervent typing on his laptop. A lump materialized in his throat, accompanied by a cascade of numbness and anguish that inundated his entire being. The intensity of the pain threatened to elicit curses from his lips, but his voice emerged raspy and weak. "W-water..." he managed to croak. Marco's eyes widened, the color draining
Erin's fingertips lightly brushed against Orion's cheek as they sat together in the car. Despite having a driver at their disposal, they paid him no attention, lost in each other's company. Orion monopolized her thoughts entirely. The disbelief lingered within Erin as though the day's events existed only in a dream. "Please, tell me this isn't a dream," Erin pleaded. In response, Orion silenced her with a tender kiss, his lips tracing a path down her neck. The driver's cheeks flushed crimson as he glanced at the rearview mirror. He wished he could vanish, overwhelmed by the palpable passion unfolding in the backseat. Their actions were simple yet intimate—kisses exchanged, sweet words whispered. Before long, they arrived back at Orion's residence, where Erin and Lacey were currently staying. Orion scooped Erin into his arms, carrying her inside. As they crossed the threshold, Erin's gaze fell upon a lone suitcase nestled by the doorway, a silent witness to Orion's hurried d
Orion's waning interest in responding to Erin's question was palpable. "Well?" Erin asked once more, anticipation etched on her face. "Why did you agree to marry Tanya?" Orion's brow furrowed. "Do you believe I was romantically involved with Zach's sister?" "No." Initially, Erin had presumed there was a romantic connection between Orion and Tanya, conjecturing that their relationship had grown deeper, considering Tanya's pregnancy as evidence of such intimacy. However, the harsh reality of Tanya's miscarriage and Orion's subsequent public explanation unveiled the true nature of their bond with Erin. It dawned on her that what she had perceived as a serious relationship was, in fact, a casual affair. Orion recounted the events involving Mr. Niel Arvesso and Tanya, shedding light on what transpired in the hotel and the circumstances surrounding Tanya's pregnancy. "If that's the case, you knew from the beginning you weren't the father of the child she was carrying..." E
Months later... As the days unfolded amidst the ancient branches of towering trees, a soft breeze caressed the leaves, weaving a delicate melody that echoed the whispers of times past. The relentless march of time had etched its mark upon the weathered gravestones, standing as solemn guardians adorned with the names of those who once thrived with vitality. Some graves bloomed with freshly placed flowers, while others surrendered to the embrace of moss and roots, each telling a tale that had reached their poignant conclusion. Erin tenderly laid a bouquet of pristine white roses before the gravestone of someone she once knew as Orion's wise and strong brother, Daryl. It marked the anniversary of his passing. Having become a part of the Arvesso family through her recent marriage to Orion, Erin joined them in visiting Daryl's resting place. As she fixed her gaze upon the inscription of his name and the date of his death, a pang of guilt coiled around her heart, unseen but deeply f
Erin tossed all her belongings into her room, breaking and smashing them. Exhausted, she quietly wept in a corner. Her body shook with profound disappointment upon discovering that the man she had loved for years had toyed with her emotions. He had only granted her a few months of solace before delivering the final blow of punishment. The accusations from people, pointing fingers at her for a sin she didn't commit, persisted. She had borne the weight of guilt since high school, which continued without relief. When would she ever find her justice? She sobbed as her lips trembled. "Erin!" Orion's voice echoed as he pounded on the penthouse door. She had already changed the security code, preventing him from entering. "Erin! Hear me out. Please… Erin!" His voice quivers audibly from the other end. But her emotions are weary. Her chest felt drained. It isn't easy to love someone who doesn't love you back. Erin raised the phone to call security and remove the man from ou
Erin steered her car towards the Yurich Group office. Since her father's passing, it felt as though she were on autopilot, routinely making her way to the office. Her father held the majority of shares, rendering the board powerless in the face of her presence, despite enduring unpleasant remarks from them on numerous occasions. "What does the model do in our office?" "I like seeing her ass, though," were just a couple of the unsavory comments she overheard. Her Uncle Roger now serves as the current chairman, having won the vote for the position vacated by Mr. Lawrence. Erin allowed this to transpire due to her lack of knowledge about the business. However, this didn't mean she would passively await his decisions. Refusing to be excluded from the office dynamics, she joined the advertising team as a staff member. Her father's assistant coached her, ensuring she navigated the corporate landscape adeptly. Her manager consistently targeted her. It's plausible that this d
Erin revisited the reasons prompting her to seek assistance from the Arvesso family. Last month, her advertising manager, Mrs. Robles, extended an invitation to meet with Mr. Yu, the manager of a television station. "Erin, I'm bringing you along for the meeting with Mr. Yu." "Sure, Ma'am!" Having spent a year with the advertising team, Erin retained her position as a staff member. She refrained from complaining, recognizing that the Arvesso family currently held authority in the company on her behalf. At the same time, she remained merely Mr. Lawrence's stepdaughter. Accompanied by her manager, Erin entered a private club. In a room, they found Mr. Yu with two other staff members. "Good evening, Mr. Yu! I am with Erin Villaverde. She's the one we were talking about," her manager said, subtly lifting one corner of her lip. "She will be coordinating our project with you for the ads of the new whitening lotion produced by the company." The man ran his thick tongue o
Seven years ago… "Boo!" Erin squealed in surprise as Jenna startled her. Her heart pounded, and she accidentally dropped her phone. She was in the women's restroom, changing into a red uniform for the cheerleaders. "Seriously! You scared me!" She lightly slapped Jenna on the shoulder and then shook her head. Jenna's dad was Erin's stepfather's cousin, making them second cousins. Jenna became Erin's close friend since they had known each other since age ten. Jenna picked up the phone that had fallen to the floor, furrowing her brow as she examined the messages on the screen. Erin engaged in a text conversation with Orion, having obtained his number from his brother Daryl. "Your eyes captivate me like no other, a mesmerizing beauty that lights up my world. Every visit to your home fills my heart with joy," Jenna read the latest message. "Who is this? Is he a pervert?" she commented, rolling her eyes. The woman continued scrolling through the messages. "Sorry if I only texted now