After Jane talked to Rodrigo, she mustered up her strength and entered the mansion. She saw her son sitting at the dining area, happily chatting with Rodrigo again. She couldn't help but feel annoyed because it seemed like in the short time they spent together, they had already become so fond of each other."Mommy! Come here!"Jane immediately smiled when Renz called her. She walked over to them and sat beside her son. Rodrigo was seated in the middle of the long table."How are you, baby? Did you sleep well here?" Jane asked her son, gently stroking his hair."Yes, mommy! Daddy reads me a story before I sleep."Jane briefly glanced at Rodrigo, who was smiling. "Daddy?"Renz nodded. "He is my daddy, right?"Jane looked at her son. Despite knowing who his father was, she still couldn't fully accept it. Rodrigo Navarro was not meant to be a father. Jane took a deep breath and smiled at her son. She nodded because she couldn't lie to him."Yes, baby."Renz's eyes lit up. "But why didn't
Several days passed since Jane stayed at Rodrigo's estate, and she couldn't deny that there was indeed a change in him. She still kept her guard up because she was hurt on the first day of her arrival. However, since then, he hadn't hurt her again. He didn't raise his voice at her anymore. It was different, but Jane reasoned that it was better for Rodrigo to be like this than how he used to be."When are you going home, Jane? It's been days!" Rico complained from the other line.Jane and Renz were in the park when Rico called her. He had been telling her to come home for several days, but she couldn't find the right time."I don't know," Jane replied. She looked at the two of them happily playing on the swings. She was sitting by the tree where they spread a cloth to sit on. "Renz likes it here.""Renz likes it there? Jane! Are you going crazy? Can't you hear yourself?"Jane sighed. "I know, Rico. I just don't know how to tell Renz. He's the one being used by Rodrigo, and I don't want
Brian spent a few days before returning to Samar. He did that because his father hadn't stopped calling and texting him since Jane left for Samar. His father was furious because Jane had the audacity to show up there. So Brian decided not to answer his calls and stay in Manila for now.Brian parked his car in front of a large house. He got out and looked at their home. He only came home once a year. Only during Christmas, and he would immediately leave for Canada. If it weren't for his mother, he wouldn't come back here. He couldn't stand his father. Clarixto always insisted that Brian stay in the Philippines to help with their business, which wasn't even theirs but owned by his cousin. He also didn't approve of their shady dealings.Brian shook his head. He stared at the house for a moment and then got back in the car. He honked in front of the gate, and when a guard came out, he lowered the car window. They immediately opened the large gate and let him in. He drove straight to their
"My baby looks so handsome!" Jane exclaimed happily as she caressed Renz's cheek. He was wearing a child's tuxedo, his hair slicked back with gel."You too, mommy! You are beautiful!""Aww, thank you, baby!" Jane squeezed Renz's cheek. "Come on, let's go downstairs?"Jane reached out her hand to her son, and they walked out of the room. Rodrigo had organized a party for them, a way to formally announce his return to everyone. Jane didn't want to go along with it because she had no intention of staying. But she had no choice as Rodrigo had already made all the arrangements. Even their matching outfits were prepared. Jane wore a red long gown with a high slit, revealing her fair legs. It had no sleeves, tightly hugging her chest. She didn't bother styling her hair and left it flowing. Renz was excited for the party. Rodrigo always used Renz as a way to make Jane comply. But she knew this arrangement couldn't last.Once they stepped out of the mansion, a car was waiting for them. Jane an
Jane stepped away from Brian and raised an eyebrow as she looked at him."Why are you only showing up now? I was waiting for you! I thought you went back to Canada!" Jane said with a hint of annoyance.Brian chuckled slightly. "I'm sorry. I couldn't come back right away because of Dad. You know what he wanted to happen, right? Actually, he was furious when we met earlier." He sighed. "How are you? Did Rodrigo hurt you?"Jane shook her head. "H-He... He slapped me.""What?! Why?!""We argued. My suspicions were correct, Brian. He saw us. We're here now. He won't let me go. He is using Renz.""He's truly despicable! I don't even know why we're related." Brian held Jane's arms and gently stroked them. "Don't worry. I'm here now. I won't let anything happen to you. We'll find a way for you to leave this place."Jane nodded. "Thank you, Brian. At least you're here now. I feel a little safer."Brian smiled. "Of course. I won't let anything happen to you, Jane."Jane was taken aback when she
The surroundings fell into a deep silence. Everyone was puzzled by Rodrigo's surprising behavior. If someone didn't know about the terrible things he had done, they would think he was a good person."We better go inside. It's mosquito-ridden out here," Rodrigo said."No! We're not entering that hellhole, Navarro! We're taking our child with us now!" Tomas refused."But, Dad. It's late. You'll have a hard time traveling now.""I don't care. And by the way, don't call me Dad.""Alright then. If that's what you want. I'll take them to the airport now.""We don't need that," Camia interjected.Brian cleared his throat. "Or maybe I can be the one to take them?"Rodrigo grinned. "It's fine, Brian. You've been kind enough to my wife tonight," he said meaningfully.Jane swallowed, suddenly concerned. What did he mean?"It's alright with me if you leave now. The problem is Renz might get too tired." Rodrigo looked around. "Wait, where is he?""Who's Renz?" Tomas asked.Rodrigo looked at Camia
"Stay here for now," Brian said. He carried Renz and laid him on the bed in the hotel room they entered. They checked into an expensive hotel, taking two rooms for Jane's parents and themselves. Jane's siblings were already in the other room, and the only ones left with them were Jane's parents."Thank you, son," Camia said to Brian.Brian just smiled and gently laid Renz, who was still sleeping. It was as if he couldn't hear the commotion happening around him.After the chaotic incident at Rodrigo's mansion, Jane and her parents immediately left. Jane's parents didn't allow them to leave without them."Jane, my child." Camia gently pulled Jane towards the long sofa and sat beside her. Tearfully, she gazed at her daughter's face. "I still can't believe it, Jane. I thought we lost you.""What happened, my child? We tried to find you but there was nothing."Jane took a deep breath and looked at her parents. "It's a long story, Mom, Dad. But one thing I can assure you is that I wasn't un
Brian arrived early at the hotel where Jane was staying. He also drove them to the airport. He even wanted to accompany them to Cavite, but Jane stopped him. Her parents still didn't have a good impression of him."Here are some of your things that I got from the mansion," Brian handed a small suitcase to Jane. "Rodrigo is asking when you'll be coming back."Jane was taken aback by what Brian said. She shook her head and shrugged. "I'm not sure if my mom will let me go back. But I'll try to go alone so she doesn't get suspicious. I still don't trust him even though he's acting nice.""Why don't you send your parents to another country? At least they'll be safe there if you're really worried," Brian suggested."Rico will get angry if I leave them behind.""I'll talk to him."Jane nodded. "Okay, go ahead. My mom is waiting for me.""Take care over there."Jane smiled at Brian before finally entering the airport. Her parents and siblings were already there, accompanied by the police who