"Are you sure about this, girl? Your dad might freak out. I don't know how your family does it, but they have ways of finding out some things. Especially about you." Aurora said as we marched towards the VIP section. Fuck rules and regulations. This is just a one-night of celebration of my failure. Who cares? They wouldn't know anyway. Unless someone might see me here and tell Dad. "What happened exactly? Why didn't Mr. Lim accept your proposal?" Kim asked as we settled in the VIP room we rented at that bar. I shrugged. "He wanted something else from me." "What do you mean by 'something else'? Maybe he wants you to propose something different to him. You know how he is, that old pervert," Aurora muttered some curses. "That's exactly the problem. He wanted me to have a private meeting with him, just the two of us. When I refused, he backed out. He said he would personally inform Dad," I said, pouring myself a drink. I could hear the two of them cursing under their breath. The wei
"Celeste, hurry up! The guests are arriving soon." Isabella yelled outside.Taking a deep breath, I composed myself and opened the door. Isabella's eyes widened at the sight of my breathtaking beauty. As she should. Hm."Wow, Celeste, you look stunning. The perfect Yuchengco princess."Isabella's voice is filled with both awe and a hint of envy. I forced a smile, grateful that my true emotions were concealed behind my polished facade."Thank you, Isabella. You look lovely as well."A lie."Right. Let's go. Dad and Mom are downstairs."As we descended the grand staircase together, my gaze caught a glimpse of my stepmother, Victoria, watching me with a discerning eye.I had spent years trying to earn her approval, to be seen as more than just a replacement for my deceased mother.But no matter how hard I tried, it seemed her love remained elusive."You look stunning, my love, Isabella." She greeted her daughter with a soft expression."Thank you, Mom." "And as usual, you're late, Celest
"Celeste, last night, you suddenly disappeared. Is everything alright? You said you weren't feeling well."His full attention is on me now after Isabella.I'm really the second choice here. I hate it."We were looking for you to introduce you to the Riofloridas, but you weren't around anymore. Are you feeling okay now?"I couldn't help but silently roll my eyes at his remark. They had already introduced Isabella to that prominent family before, so why did I also have to be introduced to them? Was it to further emphasize that I was the least favorite?"Yes, Dad. I'm feeling better now. I just needed to rest suddenly. I'm sorry." I lied and continued eating silently. I could feel his intense gaze on me."Oh, really? You didn't have any potential investors, then?" Dad turns to Isabella.I could clearly see how his expression softened as his gaze shifted to his other daughter."Isabella had conversations and secured deals with several major investors last night. Including the son of Rioflo
I could hardly bring myself to go to the office the next day because of the heaviness I felt in my body. I haven't been able to have myself checked to confirm if I am indeed pregnant because I'm still scared. I don't even know what to do next.Dad must not find out about this. He'll kill me. I've heard more than enough from him when he found out about Mr. Lim rejected the company's proposal. I wonder if he has more hurtful words in store. In the end, I arrived at the office feeling like a lifeless vegetable and immediately started my work. I didn't have a choice. I just hope I won't encounter Isabella today because I don't have the strength to engage in a heated exchange with her, knowing there is hidden anger within me."Pau, can you make me a cup of coffee, please?" I requested my secretary as she placed the files I assigned to her on my desk."Sure, Ma'am Celeste. Are you alright? You look pale," she remarked with concern.I shook my head and ignored what she said. "Just tired and
Isabella greeted me as if she had been waiting for me. There was a strange smirk on her lips. It felt like she was judging me by the way she looked at me."So, you came," she smirked and looked at me from head to toe. "Such a cunning whore."Before I could even react to what she said, Dad suddenly appeared behind her, accompanied by Mama Victoria.I immediately noticed the sharp gaze from Dad, as if he could harm me at any moment, while Mama Victoria just looked at me coldly. It was her usual expression toward me."Dad—"I couldn't continue what I was about to say as Dad threw something at me. It hit my eye and fell to the floor."How long do you plan to hide that shame from us, Celeste Koa?!" His voice thundered, full of threats and anger.Still recovering from whatever hit my eye, which, if it was a sharp object, surely left me blinded, he threw something else at my words."What—""You're pregnant?! How, when you haven't introduced any boyfriend to us yet? What is this? Did you just
I entered the prestigious halls of YCC for the last time, my heart is heavy with a mixture of sorrow and longing.I glanced through the glass walls of the conference room and watched Isabella confidently lead a meeting with my important clients.It was supposed to be me, representing the family's legacy. The weight of disappointment and shattered dreams crushed my spirit.Feeling a surge of emotions, I made my way to my father's office. I knocked softly, my voice trembling as I called out, "Dad, may I come in?"Dad's stern voice responded, "Come in."As I stepped into the room, the tension between us was palpable. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, the remnants of anger simmering beneath the surface.This confrontation was long overdue. I have contemplated gathering my courage for this to happen but I feel like I'm going back out. I feel like I can't do this."Is your transition over? Don't you have anything else to do here? Why are you still here?" He asked me sternly.I coul
As I walked out of his office, I carried the weight of my broken dreams and the agony of my fractured relationship with him.It was a painful sacrifice, but I was determined to prove my worth and build a future for myself and my child, even if it meant forging a new path outside the confines of the Yuchengco name.Fuck this family reputation."Is this final? Are you really leaving? How? Where will you go?"Aurora bombarded me with questions as she hurriedly sat beside me. Kim just looked at me, holding my ultrasound results.Yes, I'm pregnant. I've been disowned by my own father. Oh, how great it is to start fresh. Fucking fresh."Don't you think you should tell him about this? You can just show him this and everything will surely be fine. Show your Dad that the father of your child is not just some random guy." Kim suggested.I lowered my gaze to my hand that was resting on my stomach. I had thought about that too.Maybe if I tell him that the child is from the Rioflorida family, he'
"Are you still going to your meeting with the Sy Corp. for lunch, dear? I'm asking because I want to come with you if it's okay with you."I looked at her and smiled. "Don't you want to stay at home and rest? You might get tired again, and Papa will worry about you."She walked around my table and sat in front of me. The pearls around her neck and wrists shimmered as she moved."Your Papa can't do anything about it. Besides, Amanda and I have plans to meet today. You can join us, and afterward, we can go shopping together."I couldn't help but grin as I stared at her. She's in her mid-50s, but she acts like a teenager. Her age doesn't show on her because she remains healthy and beautiful. It seems like she's never been stressed in her life."Fine, Mom, but we'll go home right after. I also need to pick her up," I replied.The door swung open and my secretary, Pau, walked in carrying the files I had requested. She placed them on the table and