Mateo's mother, stands on the balcony of their stately mansion, the garden below blooming with vibrant flowers. Her gazed turned distant. She can put out in her mind the last conversation of her with Isabella. About her story of being abducted and that she never cheated or intentionally left Mateo and her daughter, Amara. She took a deep sighed. Ms. Cynthia, indeed had been a good person for Isabella, because she can feel how pure Isabella's kindness, over Nerissa. But then, everything started to changed because of what she'd done. Yet if she's thinking about all her explanations, there's a part of her that still wants to believe that Isabella was just as much a victim too.She then turned her gazed back at the garden, and saw how her and Isabella's having a fun and happy conversations there back then while they're helping those flowers to grow, as she begins to have flashbacks of the past years. "Mom, I know what I’m about to say might upset you, but I’ve decided to propose to Ne
Isabella guided by Dalia and Rose, walked through the familiar hallways of the Villanueva's mansion. Three years... It took three years for her to be back here. But the happiness she's expecting when she's already home is long gone. "It’s just here. Your... Amara's room is just as you remember," Dalia whispered, her hand resting on Isabella's shoulder in silent supportThey stopped in front of the polishedwooden door with the ornate handle and painted red trim. Isabella, reaches out, her hand trembling as she touches the knob, and gently pushes the door open.The room is a sanctuary of memories. The way she held Amara on her arms, while trying to make her stop from crying. The giggles of Amara when she made silly faces at her. Isabella steps inside, her breath catching at the sight of the bed that it just a little crib back then. The shelves lined with toys are now filled with different books. And the walls adorned with pictures of happy moments are still there, yet she's not belong
Nerissa sits beside Mateo in their car, the expression of disappoinment on her face is evident, even as she attempts to keep it hidden, as they speed down the highway. She then looked at the window and put her arms across her chest."I can't believe we had to cut our honeymoon short. This was supposed to be our time, Mateo." His gripped on the steering wheel tighten as he replied to her with an apologetic tone. "I know, and I'm sorry. But when they said it was urgent, I couldn't just ignore it. The company..." Nerissa turned to face Mateo, who was focused on the road ahead. Nerissa can't actually think a nice plan if ever she'll face Isabella again. "It's always the company. Can't they handle anything without you? We barely had any time to ourselves," she tried to sound calm but she sounded angry. Mateo glanced at her before answering," I promise we'll make up for it, Nerissa. I didn’t expect any of this. You know if it was within my control, I wouldn’t have..." Nerissa sighed.
The mansion's living room are now filled with tension. Right after Dalia and Rose finished some chores in the kitchen, Mateo asked their attention."Dalia, Rose, can someone explain what happened here? Why was Isabella inside our home?" he said calmly but firmly. "Sir, we...we believe there's been a misunderstanding. Isabella came back, and she told us a story that..." Dalia started nervously. "Yes, sir. She said she didn't leave but was taken. Kidnapped. We thought...we thought maybe there's truth to her words" Rose added."And I knew those fucking reasons of her already!" After Mateo's words, Nerissa interrupted. "This is ridiculous! How can you even entertain such lies? Are you both so gullible?" Mateo took a deep sighed and tapped Nerissa's shoulder. "Nerissa...""Sorry... I just can't really accept that after she left us, she thinks that she can just easio come back with that story?" She fakely sniffed. "Dalia, Rose... Don't think that I'm being bad here just because I'm mad
"Mommy, why you, Daddy, Nanny Rose and Nanny Dalia were arguing earlier? Is it because of that lady named Isabella?" Amara asked, as she looks up from her coloring book. Nerissa carefully choose her words whike continuously brushing Amara's hair. "Oh, my sweet girl, no. It's not like that. Your daddy and I... we never mistreated our maids. The lady, well, she's just someone from a long time ago who made some very bad choices," she said with a slight grinned on her lips. She wants it, to make Amara hate her real mother more than she hates Isabella. "Bad choices? Like what, Mommy?" Amara asked curiously, tilting her head sideways. Nerissa paused and totally face Amara, determined to thread a lies in Amara's mind. "Like... not being nice to people who cared about her. Sometimes, people can be selfish, and they hurt others without thinking. We don't want such people around us, do we?" Amara quickly shakes her head, uet it's evidence in her eyes that she's still having more questions in
Isabella steps inside the company. She looks around determined to find Mateo. "If I can't make you believe me, then you should at least give my right to my daughter," she mumbled. Isabella's expecting that Mateo will somehow understand her as a mother, who's willing to do anything to be with her daughter again. "Excuse me, may I know where can I find, Mateo Villanueva?" One of the employee turned to Isabella surprised. "Ma'am Isabella?" There she realized that the woman in front of her is an old employee here, that she knows her. "Rianne, you are still working here!" Isabella couldn't help but smile, as Rianne nodded in response, who's not still yet aware about the issues that the Villanueva's facing now because of Isabella's come back. "Yes, Ma'am! I'm glad that you are finally back. But... are you already aware that Sir. Mateo's already married to Ma'am Nerissa, your sister?" Isabella froze she looked so hurt by those words. "Ahm... Sorry, Ma'am Isabella." she apologize, Is
"No reply... I don't understand why he won't even hear me out." That night, Isabella feels more frustrated. Each passing moment without her getting back with his family feels like a loss of faith.Her thoughts keep wandering to the time that she had just spent with them until her phone beep, then she saw a message came from Dalia. The image displayed on the screen—a snapshot of Amara, her daughter, engaged in solitary play, her happiness shining through her face."My daughter... You are still beautiful. I'm sorry that you are growing up without Mommy by your side," she says aloud as she wiped the couple of tears that escaped her eyes. Suddenly her phone ring, someone's calling her. It's Dalia. "Hello? Isabella did you see the photos of Amara that I sent?" She asks excitedly over the line, but Isabella can't just give the same energy. "Dalia, thank you for this. It means everything to me right now," she replies before taking a deep breath.""I thought you might need a little light
Mateo sits behind his desk, his fingers drumming a slow, irregular rhythm on the polished surface. The room is quiet, save for the distant hum of the city and the occasional murmur of activity from the office outside his door."Maybe she would've given up by now. It's been quiet... too quiet," he started murmuring to herself. He leans back in his chair, a frown creasing his brow as he stares at the ceiling, his eyes unfocused. "But why does this silence feel so heavy? It's as if... No, I made the right decision for Amara." He thought, until a knock on the office' door pulled him from his trance. "Yes?" Mateo calls out, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sir, do you need anything?" His assistant asks him softly. "No, thank you. Please, ensure I'm not disturbed for the next hour." The assistant nods, disappearing as quietly as she appeared. Mateo then takes his glasses off, rubbing his eyes tiredly as he slumps forward. A sigh leaves his lips as he rests his elbows on the desk. He