Kieran's image with Avery keeps playing in her mind over and over until she falls asleep. Sometimes, she gets nightmares about the brutal death of Amanda and Patrick at the cruel hands of Shane. But most of the time, her mind drifts toward the pitiful future that awaits her. She will be cast aside, ignored, and alone where nobody will care, just like now.She has never felt this lonely and sad in her entire life. Even when Amanda's words and treatment hurt her to her core, she didn't feel this much pain before. And when Shane threatened to make her obedient, there was Bangs who gave hope and light to her complicated world.But now?... No Patrick will defend or scold her. No Bangs to make her happy. Most of all, the old Lesley is no more, the girl who is full of color and a positive mind, constantly reminding herself that everything is going to be okay. That girl... is gone...Only Iston visited Lesley. But she doesn't open or answers every time he calls and knocks on the door. She wi
The woman's words were absurd and unbelievable. Is it really possible for Maridona to enter her mind? Lesley finds it hard to believe, but she can't push her away. Maridona's embrace is warm and comforting, as if the woman's arms are healing her soul. It is only a dream, but it feels... real.Lesley could not help but hug the woman too. At the same time, her tears flowed. Even though she hasn't told the reason for her anguish, she feels that Maridona completely understands.Her entire being felt the connection between them. It was as if she had nothing more to say or explain. She put aside her suspicions and doubt and sobbed on Maridona's shoulders, bawling like there was no tomorrow."Why am I still alive? Why did you let me live if this is what's going to happen to me?!" Lesley cried. "You shouldn't have allowed your father to put me in your womb... I shouldn't have suffered like this..."The woman stroked the back of her head tenderly. "I know, honey. I know... I'm so sorry you hav
"I'm a little jealous of you. Your father loves you very much."Maridona lightly flinched at what Jacoben said. She almost spilled a few drops of coffee from the cup she was holding. They are having breakfast in their garden while waiting for her father to call them.She put the cup of coffee on the table in front, turning to her boyfriend, seemingly confused. "I'm sorry?""I think you have a perfect family," Jacoben mused. "I would love to be a part of you. I hope they like me too when I formally introduce myself later."Maridona felt a prick in her heart. If only Jacoben knew, he would not say those words so easily. She gave him a soft smile. "Of course, they will like you. There's nothing to hate about you, Jacoben. As a matter of fact, I always tell them about you, so they weren't surprised when I revealed the other day that we were already in a relationship. So don't be nervous. "Jacoben exhaled loudly. "I'm still nervous.""Oh, dear. Don't be. It's all right. I will be by your
After a few minutes, she let go of their embrace and shyly looked away. "So-Someone might see us. That's enough kisses for tonight," she said with an embarrassed face.Jacoben turned to the open door of her room and grinned. "So what if they see us? We're dating. It's normal."She gaped at him. "It is not normal when done in front of people.""Says who?"She cleared her throat. "Says me. You know how judgemental and conservative some people are."Jacoben laughed and then walked to the door and closed it. Her heart raced when she heard a click. "I don't care about what other people will say. But I do respect your opinion," he said, locking the door. "There. No one will see us."Her face turned red as a tomato when she met his intense gaze. Her heart was beating so fast and loud she could hear it. "Do-Do you want to, uhm, have sex?" she asked hesitantly.Jacoben's eyes widened while his brows rose in surprise at her question. "Pa-Pardon me?""I-I'm sorry. That came out ugly. I meant to
Maridona had never felt so happy in her life when she got married to Jacoben Alonzo, the man of her dreams and her best friend. What more could she ask for?Aside from his well-defined manly features, he is sweet, understanding, and honest. He is a man that is beautiful from inside and out. Even though he was orphaned at an early age, he managed to keep his family's business. He sometimes struggles because he lacks experience, but he is hard-working and does not give up easily. He is not perfect, but he is more than enough for her.If it wasn't for the fact that she was hiding ugly things about herself and her family, she might have been happier and less worried. Because after her marriage with Jacoben, their filthy secret is gradually coming out."What did you say?!" Shane's voice echoed in the living room."Shane, please lower your voice. Someone might hear us," Maridona begged her scowling sister.Shane took a step between them, her eyes big and round in anger. "How can you be so s
"I, I'm just comforting her," Kieran covered her, giving her a worried side look. He agreed to keep the secret, so she trusts he will not say anything to her husband. Jacoben can't know yet. It will put them all in trouble.Jacoben frowned as he approached them. "Comforting her for what?" Her husband carefully held one of her arms and gently pulled her toward him. "What's wrong, hon? Why are you crying?""She's worried for the baby. Her pregnancy's complicated, so she's a bit scared. I was just trying to comfort her," Kieran explained.Kieran was taken aback when Jacoben glared at him like he had done something wrong."He's telling the truth," she said. "Sorry if I made you worry."Jacoben's face softened, but doubt was still evident in his eyes. Her husband is smart. He must have noticed something strange. She must think of a way to get rid of his suspicion."Is that so?" Jacoben said in a low but emphatic voice. "You know you can tell me, right? I can comfort you too.""I know, I kn
Maridona did nothing but reveal the whole truth to Jacoben about her and their family's secret. She told him everything about how it all began. Starting from when she was a sickly child leading to the day her father decided to clone her.Since Maridona was born, she has been weak and has a strange disease slowly killing her. Her own blood was poisoning her insides, and she was often rushed to the hospital.No doctor or scientist can answer what kind of illness she caught. When she was only ten years old, the doctors gave her only five years left to live.But because of her father's curious nature to everything that baffles him, who is also a mad scientist, he could not stop himself from performing tests and experiments on his daughter's body, especially her blood. He did not stop until he found an explanation for her strange condition.After five years of intense and non-stop research, Victor successfully cured her by the time she was supposed to be dead from her unknown illness.Her
Jacoben's eyes narrowed at this then quickly stood up with clenched fists. "I really think that's not necessary. Thank you for the offer, but we will be taking our leave." "Don't you dare oppose me," Victor scowled. "You are in no place to make a decision here. I am the head of this family… my dear son-in-law," he said firmly, full of intimidation. Jacoben's forehead furrowed as he looked intently at Victor. "Good thing I'm not a Nobles." Maridona gasped, surprised by her husband's remark. She could feel the tension building between Jacoben and Victor. She nervously looked at her father's face and then at her sister, who was shaking her head. A few seconds passed before her father reacted to Jacoben's defiance. Victor let out an amused laugh, and then his face became serious again. "Fool... What a complete fool," he mumbled while shaking his head. Jacoben's jaw clenched as he couldn't stop the emotion he had been holding back for a while. He gently grabbed Maridona's arm and help