-=Martina's Point of View=-I kept feeling this ache ever since my visit to that place, and as I awaited our arrival back at my dad's place, this ache was getting more intense."Can you tell me what's really going on, Martina?" I heard Nancy ask."Nothing; I just needed to go home," I answered.Before, when I thought about home, I always referred to my dad's house, which had been my home ever since, or at least before Fionna and her daughters arrived, but now, when I thought about home, I couldn't help but think about the island and Zion's mansion.The pain I felt intensified when I thought about Zion. I couldn't help but feel guilty knowing that he wasn't feeling well when I left him after I found out the truth.I felt ashamed of what I did; yes, it was shocking to learn the truth, but I promised Zion, or rather Zion, that I would love him forever, and yet, in the first instance of the test of our love and my faith in him, I disappointed him.I could still feel Nancy's gaze on me fro
-=Martina's Point of View=-The beating of my heart began to beat faster as I could finally see the island from afar."Wait for me, Zion," I silently said, feeling the sorrow and longing of a woman who was away with the man she loved.Ever since I left Nancy's province and experienced that bizarre and mysterious event, bits and pieces of my previous life memory came back to me, but not enough for me to know everything, but enough for me to know that I was Esmeralda and Zion is the man I loved during that life.I remembered telling him from my previous life that I would remember him whatever happened, but I betrayed him since I didn't even recognize him and worse I thought of leaving him.I felt so ashamed to see him again, but my desire to be with him won me over, and I promised myself that I would never leave Zion again.While looking at the island, it felt like some invisible hand was pulling me closer to the island as if the island recognized me, and I recognized it as my home, Zio
-=Martina's Point of View=-It is often said that a woman's wedding day is one of the most significant and joyous occasions in her life, perhaps even the most memorable.It's the day when she joins the man she loves in a bond that will last a lifetime.This man will accept and love her despite her flaws and imperfections, supporting her through thick and thin, in times of happiness and sadness. However, I find myself devoid of any joy or happiness on my wedding day.The reason is that I am not marrying out of love, but rather due to being coerced into a union with a complete stranger.I had wanted to refuse this marriage, but the consequences were too severe. My stepmother threatened to cut off my father's medical support, which could potentially lead to his death.My father had been involved in a car accident while on his way to pick me up after my solo cruise to celebrate my eighteenth birthday. He had planned to throw a birthday party for me, as is customary for debutantes, but I c
-=Martina's Point of View=- I was in complete disbelief when I saw who my groom was, and I couldn't help but keep looking at Fiona. "Are you marrying me off to him?" I asked, unable to believe it. "Yes, is there something wrong with that? Besides, I mentioned that you know him, didn't I?" She replied, acting as if there was no issue with my future husband. Everyone is familiar with Zion Montgomery. I mean, who wouldn't know about one of the wealthiest individuals in the world? I've heard about him through the news, particularly in the business sections, and I've seen his face in numerous newspapers. However, I don't personally know him or have ever met him, so it puzzles me. How does my stepmother know someone as wealthy as Zion Montgomery, and why would he want to marry me in the first place? A feeling of unease came over me when I sensed someone staring intently at me. When I glanced over, I saw Zion looking directly at me. Our eyes connected, and I immediately noticed that hi
-=Martina's Point of View=-I woke up feeling slightly disoriented, and as I looked up, I was puzzled by the unfamiliar ceiling above me. Without getting out of bed, I scanned the room and realized that it was completely unknown to me.Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Where am I?" It took a few moments before the memories came rushing back."I'm married."The sudden realization cast a shadow over my mood, and when I glanced at my finger, there it was, undeniable evidence.Resting on my ring finger was a simple gold band with an Alexandrite stone at its center, coincidentally my birthstone. I couldn't determine whether it was just a matter of chance or if this ring was indeed my wedding ring.Strangely, as I continued to gaze at the ring, the weight on my heart seemed to lighten. If only I were married to someone I truly loved.I let out a deep sigh and lay back in bed, reflecting on the events of the previous day. I couldn't shake off the fact tha
-=Martina's Point of View=-After getting Zion's confirmation that the island I was looking for was indeed his home, I decided to keep my mouth shut.I feel like throwing up because of my nerves; just thinking that I will be alone on the island with my now-husband makes me feel sick.I always dreamed of marrying the man I love, just like in the fairy tale stories that my dad used to read to me when I was a child—someone I would love forever and who would love me for the rest of our lives—but because of what happened, it made me realize that fairy tales are just for kids, ignorant of how the world really works."Cruel."The world is cruel, and so are the people living in it. There might be people who tend to live an honest life, but there are more people who will do everything just to take advantage of those innocent people.Take me, for example. If I weren't too weak and powerless, then I wouldn't be forced to be wed to someone I didn't love. If I had the money, the power, and the inf
-=Martina's Point of View=- I'm not sure if it was because of my nerves, the stress I've been through, the anxiety I felt and kept on feeling, or maybe all of those emotions, which made me feel exhausted, and after just a few minutes of lying down in bed, I felt my eyelids getting heavy, and I let myself drift into oblivion. It felt like I just closed my eyes when a sudden knock on my door awoke me, and before I could respond to it, the door opened, revealing the same kid maid who I caught looking at me earlier. "Good afternoon, mistress. Master Zion ordered me to fetch you, so you can both have a late lunch," she said, trying to maintain a poker face, but behind it, I could still detect a particular curiosity behind her blue eyes. "It's fine." She courteously introduced herself as Annie and told me that from now on, she would be my personal helper. She then started helping me get ready, and even though I told her that I could manage, she insisted that it was her job to assist me
-=Martina's Point of View=-On the outside, I looked calm and composed, but deep inside, my every nerve was screaming from the fear and intimidation I was feeling because of this old man, who happened to be my husband.Every inch of my body is telling me to run away and to get as far as possible away from Zion, but I remained standing and still did not dare to show any nerves.He just nodded as he finally took his eyes away from me, giving me a chance to take a deep breath as if it could help me calm down.I silently took the seat that Annie motioned for me to take, and just a few minutes later, the helpers served our food.I couldn't help but notice that most of the food served is my favorite, and because of that, I couldn't stop myself from looking in Zion's direction, who is totally emerged in his drink and had a few bites on his plate."Did he prepare these all for me?" I couldn't help but wonder, but immediately dismissed that thought, thinking that even though I'm already his wi