《The Girl Named Mirage》


 Chapter 1 It Started with a Goodbye

    Belle walks toward Elven who¡¯s carrying their 1 year old daughter who¡¯s fast asleep. He¡¯s looking at the vast ocean in front of him. He seems preupied as he doesn¡¯t bother to respond when Belle calls his name.


    ¡± Hey babe¡­ ¡±


    And she nted a kiss on his cheeks.


    ¡± Hello! ¡± she said abruptly and turned away, avoiding his eyes.


    Her face was reddened as she was surprised by her own gesture. She¡¯s embarrassed. It wasn¡¯t anything special, just some light peck or small kiss but it still affected her. They were in a 5 year rtionship and 2 out of that 5, they were married and blessed with a beautiful daughter. And yet, she still acts like a teenager having a crush!


    The man didn¡¯t seem to react much though, only slightly turning his head and a little smile graced his face. It was a genuine smile with a bit of amusement.


    She took in the scenery. The sun is shining brightly over the surface of the ocean. The waves are crashing against each other creating a loud sound. The air is cool but not cold. A slight breeze was blowing her shoulder length ck hair.


    ¡± I¡¯m done with the registration.¡±


    She quickly changed the subject before he started to tease her endlessly.


    ¡± We can board the ship when it¡¯s time. ¡±


    She said while she slips her identification card in her jacket¡¯s pocket.


    Elven just nodded and continued staring into the ocean. His dark brown eyes scanned everything. After a few more moments he softly caresses his daughter¡¯s hair and softly kisses her head.


    ¡± Sweetie, won¡¯t you wake up already? We¡¯re gonna ride the ship soon! You want to see the ocean, right? ¡±


    He softly said in a voice full of affection. Belle couldn¡¯t help herself from smiling at them. He loves this girl so much, she can tell. That much is evident from how much he talks about her. He loves to hold her. He loves it when they¡¯re spending time together and he would always be careful with the way he speaks to her.


    This is the most rxed she has seen him since their wedding. The stress that usually surrounds him was nonexistent.


    After a while they started to board the ship that will take them to Elven¡¯s father¡¯snd. They¡¯re going on vacation.


    But as soon as the ship leaves the dock, the rain starts to trickle.  The wind suddenly picked up causing everyone to shiver. They¡¯ve never expected such weather today.


    ¡± Let¡¯s head to our cabin and rest. We can just go back here at the deck when the rain stops. ¡±


    As they were walking along the deck, they heard an older woman murmuring something unusual.


    ¡± Something¡¯s wrong.¡±


    She says while looking at the ocean. The sea looks dark and gloomy. She could see huge waves moving slowly.


    She had no idea what the woman meant by ¡°something¡¯s wrong¡±. But she knew that it probably had something to do with the rain.


    Elven led his family inside their cabin. Their daughter is still fast asleep. Time passes and it¡¯s still raining. It¡¯s almost dinner time. They didn¡¯t have a chance to enjoy the view outside. The baby woke up and asked for milk.


    ¡± I¡¯ll go get us something to eat. ¡± Elven said and headed outside.


    ¡± Sure. ¡± Belle simply replied while she breastfed her baby.


    She closed her eyes as she felt her head spinning. The ship¡¯s moving roughly now. The rain¡¯s getting heavy. Then she hears a baby cry. She opens her eyes and looks at her daughter, she¡¯s not crying.


    ¡± Of course she¡¯s not, she¡¯s busy. ¡±


    She smiles at herself because she heard the cry outside and yet she checked the baby in her arms.


    The crying continued frantically and being a mom, Belle put down her baby and looked outside and saw a baby girl that she guessed was the same age as her baby. Alone. Slumped on the floor and dripped because of the rain.


    ¡± Oh my goodness! Where¡¯s your mom? ¡±


    She picked up the baby and scanned the corridor. It¡¯s empty. No one is there except for her.


    ¡± Come on, let¡¯s get you dry. ¡±


    She picked up the baby and quickly grabbed the railings. The ship won¡¯t let her stand straight. It takes her more than two minutes to reach the cabin as she¡¯s struggling to keep her bnce. She managed to open the door and finally made it inside. She snatched a towel and covered the baby she found outside with it. She ced the baby on the bed beside her own baby who¡¯s quietly ying with her toys and then she sat on the chair beside the bed.


    Her diaper was full and covered in water. Her dress has gotten wet too, soaking through. Belle breathed out and started to change the baby¡¯s diaper and put some dry clothes on. She¡¯s still crying so she grabbed a bottle of milk and gave it to the baby, she dly took it. She looks really hungry.


    Then she heard something again.


    ¡± Where¡¯s my baby? Where¡¯s my baby? ¡±


    Belle hurried outside leaving the two babies on the bed.


    ¡± She¡¯s here! ¡±


    The woman runs towards her and peaks at the open door. Her face lightened up at the sight of her baby.


    ¡± Thank you! Thank you so much! ¡±


    The woman¡¯s words of thanks flooded Belle. She held the woman¡¯s thin and frail hand and led her inside their cabin.


    ¡± I go to thefort room and when I get back she¡¯s no longer inside the bag- ¡±


    ¡± What?! Bag? ¡±


    The frail woman was dumbfounded. Sheepishly, she told Belle the truth.


    ¡± I smuggled her to board this ship. I put her inside my luggage. I don¡¯t have money, you know. I can¡¯t afford the fair price. We don¡¯t even have food to eat. I¡¯m d that they still haven¡¯t found out about us until now so can you please do us a favor? ¡±


    Her eyes looked at her full of pleading. Belle looks at the baby who¡¯s still drinking milk. She¡¯s so thin like her mom. While her baby is quietly ying with her feet.


    ¡± How old is she? ¡±


    ¡± She¡¯s already 2 years old. ¡±


    ¡± Oh. ¡±


    ¡± Okay. ¡±


    Belle smiles warily. Trying to hide her pity. The baby is malnourished. She¡¯s already 2 but her baby who¡¯s just 1 yr old looks much bigger. She doesn¡¯t want topare but her heart feels heavy for the baby¡¯s condition.


    ¡± We need to keep going. I don¡¯t want you to get in much more trouble because of us. ¡±


    Then the frail woman picks her baby up.


    ¡± Ah, yeah. Sure. ¡±


    Belle answered absentmindedly. But then she grabs a tote bag and puts some bottled water, biscuits, milk and some dry clothes for the baby.


    ¡± Here. Take this. It¡¯s not much but I hope it helps. ¡±


    The woman¡¯s eyes became watery. She hesitantly epts the bag. But she needed this. She badly needed this.


    ¡± You have such a good heart. ¡±


    Belle smiles and shakes her head. She can¡¯t find the words tofort her.


    ¡± We¡¯re going now. Thank you so much! ¡±


    Belle picks up her jacket that hangs on the chair, slips some bills in the pocket and covers the frail woman and her child.


    ¡± God bless you and your family ¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    She just smiles warmly at the woman¡¯s sincere words as she bids them goodbye.

 Chapter 2 Unfortunately

    As soon as Belle settled on the bed beside her baby, Elven came with a covered tray filled with food.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡± Here¡¯s our dinner, babe. ¡±


    He puts the tray on the table beside the bed.


    ¡± Sorry it took so long. I helped a newbie crew at the ship¡¯s restaurant to clean his mess. He stumbled and fell due to the rough waves hitting the ship and he got sea sick.¡±


    Belle smiles a little. She was happy that Elven was there to help someone. But she¡¯s getting worried.


    What if the next wave is going to hit them and all of their belongings will be tossed overboard? She¡¯ll never forgive herself if something happens to her baby!


    Elven has these worries as well but he¡¯s just trying to hide it from his wife.


    ¡± Is that so? This rain isn¡¯t stopping anytime soon, I guess¡­¡±


    Belle trails her words as she gets up the bed. She doesn¡¯t want to sound so worried.


    ¡± And it¡¯s getting heavier¡­ ¡±


    And as if a cue, a big wave hits the ship and it almost turns over.


    As they felt the impact, Belle¡¯s mother instinct kicked in and she quickly hugged her baby, as the ship nted, she rolled over with the baby in her arms and her back hit the solid frame of the bed.


    ¡± Ugh! ¡±


    Despite the ache she¡¯s feeling, she manages to cover her baby from the  falling objects and keep her safe.


    Elven on the other hand was thrown like a doll on the other side and hit the wall along with the sses and tes that were smashed into pieces.


    ¡± Argh! ¡±


    The ship manages to back up but it¡¯s totally damaged now. The water prated the ship. The rm went off.


    ¡± We need to get out of here! ¡±


    Though bleeding, Elven gets up and takes his wife and daughter out of the cabin. Leaving all of their belongings behind. It doesn¡¯t matter anymore. He needs to be sure that they can get out of here safely.


    People start running out of their rooms, panic starts filling the ce. As they looked around, they could see the damage done by the storm and people were panicking. They¡¯re running away, not knowing where to go.


    A group of women came running, carrying a small boy. They didn¡¯t know who the child was but they had to take care of him now. As they carried him away, one of the men started helping them. Others followed after them. Though most people are scared, they¡¯re determined to help out.


    The ship started rocking again. It seemed as if it was getting ready for another wave. Everyone knows what¡¯s going to happen next and they¡¯re afraid.


    Then a loud sound resonated on the ship and the ship started breaking down. The damage is already beyond repair.


    ¡± Shit, shit, SHIT!¡±


    Someone shouted. No, they screamed. Their voices were filled with pain, fear, and desperation. They need to get out of this ship. In the middle of the night amidst the heavy rain.


    There¡¯s no time to waste.


    Everyone started running towards the lifeboats and there were too many people, too much chaos. Too many people in such a situation. People were running everywhere. Some fell down and some tripped and others are running faster than ever before.


    ¡± The children, women, pregnant, elderly and the handicapped first! ¡±


    They heard the man shout. Everyone ran to the lifeboats. There were so many of them. They need to get inside one fast before the ship sinks to the bottom.


    ¡± Grab and wear the life jacket! ¡±


    ¡± Stop pushing! Everyone can get out of here! ¡±


    But the cry of anguish continues.


    ¡± Here¡¯s a life jacket. Wear this. ¡±


    Elven puts the life jacket on Belle, and straps it close with their baby on her chest.


    ¡± Sweetie, everything will be alright. ¡±


    And then he hugged and kissed his wife and daughter. Belle and Elven try not to cry. They need to be strong. For each other. For their baby.


    ¡± We¡¯ll see each other at the dock. Take care of yourself and our baby, ¡®kay? ¡±


    ¡± Now go! ¡±


    He helped her get on the lifeboat. He helped to pull the lifeboat down safely.


    ¡± I¡¯ll be right behind you. ¡±


    ¡± I¡¯ll find you! ¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry! ¡±


    ¡± I love you! ¡±


    Tears, raindrops and sea water streams down their faces. They were on the lifeboat, but will they be able to reach the dock or anynd in this kind of weather?


    Belle removes her life jacket and puts it on her baby. She then ties the ribbon from her hair on the strap of the life jacket and ties its end on her wrist. Then she hugged her tight and silently cried.


    ¡± Everything will be alright, sweetie. Daddy¡¯s going to find us. ¡±


    Elven was able to board a lifeboat. He then looked for the lifeboat where his family was boarding. As soon as his eyes found the boat, a giant wave flipped it over. Everyone falls on the water, including his wife and daughter.


    Simultaneously, a big wave crashes against the deck. The whole ship shatters. The passengers and crew members who were still there were screaming and shouting at each other. There are some that tried jumping to their death while the rest are praying, hoping that they won¡¯t die.


    Suddenly, an explosion was heard. The fire starts spreading and the people try to escape desperately.


    ¡± Aaaaaah! ¡±


    Another big wave crashed on the deck and everything started sinking faster. The people scream in fear.


    But that doesn¡¯t seem to bother Elven anymore. He jumped into the water to save his wife and daughter. No one dared to stop him.


    ¡± Belle! ¡±


    ¡± Yuffa! ¡±


    ¡± Wait for me. I¡¯ming! ¡±


    ¡± Babe, I¡¯ll save you! ¡±


    ¡± Daddy¡¯s here, baby! ¡±


    He swam towards them but then another wave swept him away and unfortunately he hit the side of the sinking ship and that hit knocked him out cold.


    One of the crew saw this and swam to his rescue. It was the newbie crew he helped at the ship¡¯s restaurant.


    Luckily, his guts kick in and he grabs Elven¡¯s hand and pulls him out of the water. His arm is hurting from how hard he¡¯s pulling but he has to do it. He needs to get him to safety.


    ¡± Stay with me. Stay with me, sir. ¡±


    Elven tries to talk but he¡¯s only making sounds. Blood trickles down his chin.


    ¡± Come on¡­ You gotta stay awake¡­ You need to stay with me, sir. We¡¯d make it out of here together¡­ ¡±


    But Elven¡¯s mind is floating somewhere. Somewhere where he could be with his wife and child.


    He¡¯s trying to wake himself up but he keeps losing control of his body.


    ¡± We¡¯re gonna make it¡­ Please¡­ You promised me, Elven. You promised me! ¡±


    The voice of the woman calling for him echoes inside his ears. He wants to answer but he can¡¯t move his mouth. He struggles but he can¡¯t.


    His breathing started bing harder, he tried to take a breath but he failed miserably. Time seems to slow down. Even though his sight wasn¡¯t blurry, the scenery looks duller, more blurred. So much that he can¡¯t really tell what¡¯s happening. When his vision slowly turned dark, it was like everything stopped moving.


    And when he finally woke up, he only wished not to be saved.

 Chapter 3 Strand of Hope

    Elven opened his eyes and then closed it again. The big waves that tipped off the lifeboat where Belle and their baby boarded shed before his eyes. He abruptly opened them again and jumped off the bed. The surroundings spun and he almost fell on the ground. Luckily someone grabbed his arm. His head hurt so bad. He touches his head only to feel the bandages. The pain is excruciating. He staggered to stand firm.


    ¡± You need to lie down. Your injury isn¡¯t a joke, sir. ¡±


    He recognizes the crew¡¯s voice. He¡¯s the one who saves him. He didn¡¯t want toy on the bed again so he decided to just sit down. He still holds his head, pain written on his face.


    ¡± Where¡¯s my wife and my daughter? Did they find them? Are they okay? ¡±


    The man in front of him doesn¡¯t answer but instead helps him in a sitting position. He obviously tries not to fall down even though he¡¯s sitting. Elven leans back and feels morefortable. He looks at the other people in the room. They were the doctor and the nurses that were taking care of him. All of them are looking at him, some with sadness and pity, others with worry. They¡¯re all waiting for him to talk about what happened or if something¡¯s wrong with him.


    He¡¯s in total pain right now and he can¡¯t do anything but to worry about his beloved wife and daughter¡¯s whereabouts. He needs to see them with his very eyes.


    The crew fell silent. He averted Elven¡¯s questioning eyes. And he can¡¯t help but feel sorry for him. He understands his pain but he still needs to rest because he is injured himself. He honestly can¡¯t do anything right now.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know anything yet. We lost contact with a lot of them. We¡¯re just here to check you out. ¡±


    Sadness swept all over Elven. Tears fell from his eyes. He cries silently in front of them. He can¡¯t imagine his wife and daughter still floating somewhere feeling cold while he¡¯s here in the convenience of the hospital. His shoulder shakes with sorrow and anguish. He needs to go and search for them himself. He needs to do something rather than die slowly from the anxiety of waiting.


    ¡± Please. I beg you. Help me search with the authorities. I swear I won¡¯t do anything stupid. I- I just need to be there. I don¡¯t want to go insane here. Please. Please.¡±


    He pleaded in a small voice. The reliable version of him can¡¯t be found right now. He¡¯s trying his very best not to fall apart. He can¡¯t think of anything but his wife and daughter¡¯s faces. He missed them. He wants to hug and kiss them.


    ¡± I-I¡¯ll talk to the authorities, sir. Please try to get some rest and wait for me here, sir. ¡±


    After the crew said this, he immediately left the room. Elven was left alone with the 2 nurses and the doctor that checked him up. One nurse walked towards him and she had a sympathetic look.


    ¡± I¡¯m going to call your rtives. It might be better for you to have someone to be with to calm yourself.¡±


    She said and she asked for their contact numbers. Another nurse came with a tray filled with hospital food. She forced a smile when he found Elven trying not to cry anymore.


    ¡± Is your head okay, Mr. Sanford? Don¡¯t you feel dizzy right now? ¡±


    The doctor asked him. Elven just shook his head and bows. Hiding his tearful eyes.


    ¡± Here. Please try to eat these so you gain more strength. Mr. Lambert says that you will go with the search and rescue operation that¡¯s why he asked me to bring these to you. ¡±


    The nurse sets up the tray of food on the hospital bed¡¯s table and leaves the room after. Elven started to eat, forcing the food down by gulping water every time he swallowed. But he stands up and immediately reaches for the bathroom with long quick strides, afraid to stumble again. He throws up. His body rejected the food. He can¡¯t take it. Not now.


    The doctor and the nurses exchange sad nces. They know he¡¯s having a very difficult time right now.


    He washed up and the hospital¡¯s room door opened and Josh Lambert entered. He¡¯s a bit surprised as he did not find Elven at the bed. He turns his gaze at the bathroom and there he finds Elven leaning at the door for support.


    Elven quickly held up his hand dismissing Lambert¡¯s worried face. He slowly returns and sits on the bed without asking for anyone¡¯s assistance.


    Lambert walks and stands in front of him, the light of hope filled his eyes.


    ¡± I talked to the coast guards, sir. They give us permission to go. ¡±


    Lambert said. He¡¯s clearly relieved that they got permission. Elven nods his head. He knows he¡¯s in no condition to go but he needs to make sure that his wife and daughter are alright. He needs to know how they are with his own eyes.


    ¡± If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll let you go. But please take care and don¡¯t push yourself too much. ¡±


    The doctor said and left the room followed by the nurses. Elven¡¯s face lit up. Hope spread all over him. He will search for his family. He can find them for sure. They will be together again.


    They leave the hospital and start the search operation at exactly 8:00 am.


    The coast guards spread and searched in different directions to cover as many ces as they could. The ship has sunk and got totaled by the giant waves. The shipwrecks were left floating on the water. Most of them are damaged by the impact and are stuck on the beach. Some boats managed to stay afloat and reach the shore.


    But some did not.


    But they¡¯re looking forward to it. They¡¯re hoping. Everyone who survived is acting positive. Everyone hopes that their loved ones also survived. Some are crying and others are cheering. Some are praying. Some wish they could get up and continue searching for their rtives.


    A couple of hourster, they¡¯re already in the middle of the ocean. They¡¯ve passed several inds but nothing. Nobody knows which direction they went in. No signs. No survivors. No clue as to whether or not they¡¯re alive.


    They search the vast ocean here and there. The divers dive so many times that they lose count.


    As per the data they¡¯ve got. 15 individuals were found lifeless. 11 adults and 4 children. 3 adults were from the ship¡¯s crew. Some were found floating, some were on the seashore. Some were still inside the sunken ship. How devastating the tragedy they all facedst night.


    Yes.


    It all happenedst night. The ocean seemed madst night but it¡¯s all calmed now.


    It¡¯s just like what happenedst night is just a nightmare that no one will ever forget even as soon as you wake up.


    The ocean devours by darkness again. It¡¯s time for the search and rescue operation to stop for today. Elven doesn¡¯t want to stop but he needs to follow. He wants to be able to go again tomorrow to search for his family. And he needs to rest because his head injury might get the best out of him. That would lead to him not being able to search for his wife and daughter.


    Josh Lambert sadly took him to his hospital room. He kindly denies his offer that they eat first before calling it a night. Elveny on his hospital bed with his arm covering his eyes.


    He can¡¯t stop remembering the image of his wife and daughter. Those little features. Those tiny hands that wrapped around his fingers. Herughter and her sweet voice. Everything about them.


    He cries himself to sleep. Too tired to move and too weak to fight back the sleepiness that threatened to ovee him. The strand of hope is slowly slipping away from his grasp.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

 Chapter 4 The Search is Over

    Elven wakes up when he realises someone is staring at him. His eyes transfixed to someone who¡¯s sitting on the side of the bed. His mother, Leona Sanford.


    ¡± Are you feeling well, son? ¡±


    She asks and she sounds more like a concerned parent than anything else. He blinks twice and takes a deep breath in and out.


    ¡± We quickly went here when we heard about what happened, dear. ¡±


    She said and turned to look at his first older sister, Eliana who was standing on the other side of the bed. Elven doesn¡¯t realise she¡¯s there.


    ¡± You must be so devastated. ¡±


    Elven heave a deep sigh. What he is feeling right now is unfathomable. He can¡¯t even distinguish which pain he¡¯s trying to endure more. If it¡¯s the seething pain of his head injury or it is the longing for his family.


    ¡± Son, you need to go to a much bigger hos-¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Leona was cut mid-sentence by a dead straight no from Elven.


    ¡± Stop being so stubborn! You being here wouldn¡¯t make a difference! They must be dead somewhere already! ¡±


    Eliana shot at him without much of a consideration regarding his feelings.


    ¡± Shut the f*ck up! ¡±


    Elven shouted back.


    He didn¡¯t care if it made him sound rude but he didn¡¯t have much patience left anymore. He felt as if everything was crumbling down around him.


    ¡± I¡¯m sick of listening to your shit!¡±


    Elven continued with a snarky tone. Elven didn¡¯t expect her to say something like that. Her words were aimed directly at him and her voice wasn¡¯tced with anger or annoyance, they just sounded cold and detached like she couldn¡¯t care less whether he gets mad at her.


    He feels hot and angry.


    ¡± If you came here just to tell me that, suck it all up and get lost. ¡±


    Eliana rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Not feeling sorry at all.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡± Son, I know how you feel. But you need to think of yourself, too. What if your head injury worsens? ¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t care. ¡±


    ¡± Son, please. Your family wouldn¡¯t like you to be miserable. ¡±


    Elven shakes his head.


    ¡± I¡¯m not going anywhere until I find my wife and daughter. And that¡¯s final. ¡±


    He got out of the bed, washed up in the bathroom and headed outside. He saw Josh Lambert outside. Agitated.


    ¡± Let¡¯s get out of here. ¡±


    ¡± About that sir. A report came out around midnight. ¡±


    Elven immediately stopped walking and turned his questioning gaze at Josh upon hearing about an alleged report. He could see how Josh hesitated to speak more.


    ¡± Is it about my family? Where are they? Did they find them? Are they okay? Tell me! ¡±


    Josh looked worried and hesitant to respond.


    ¡± Sir, we¡¯re not sure yet. ¡±


    Elven frowned and took a step closer. The concern he felt towards his family grew deeper.


    Leona and Eliana came around to know what themotion was about.


    ¡± Sir, I think you need to check for yourself. They¡¯re here in the hospital. ¡±


    Elven stared at Josh, wide eyed. His heart starts thumping against his chest faster than ever.


    ¡± Really?¡­ I mean¡­ where exactly are they? Can you bring me to them?  ¡±


    Josh just nodded and started walking. Elven follows him, Leona and her daughter too. They stopped in front of a room where a few coast guards officials and police were standing outside. And there¡¯s two familiar faces Elven recognized, Sylvia and Angelique Vernon. Belle¡¯s mother and younger sister. Their eyes were red.


    ¡± Morgue?! ¡±


    Eliana read the sign outside the door with shocked and widened eyes. Leona covered her mouth in disbelief. Elven tries to swallow. He can feel a lump on his throat. He can hear his heartbeat going crazy. The seething pain on his head suddenly numbs his entire body. Elven¡¯s eyes start to water and he can feel his knees getting wobbly.


    He can barely hold himself up but he has to do it. He¡¯s a strong man. He needs to be strong. Josh stands besides him and Elven holds on to Josh¡¯s shoulder for support. One of the coast guards slowly walks in front of them with a clear stic bag with clothes inside.


    ¡± Wait. Why are we here? What are those ? ¡±


    He whispered and turned his eyes away from everyone. He looked up, forcing his tears not to fall. He knows exactly what¡¯s happening. He just doesn¡¯t want to believe it.


    ¡± Around midnight, we received a call from a fisherman from the ind, the ship¡¯s supposed destination. He saw someone on the rocky part of the shore. When he came to inspect, he saw a woman wearing a life vest¡­ with a child on her chest. ¡±


    Elven tears fall. His grip on Josh¡¯s shoulder tightens and his other hand clenches and starts to hammer his own chest. He felt suffocated. Josh Lambert looks sideways and bows his head. He can¡¯t look at Elven.


    ¡± These are the clothes they¡¯re wearing. We found your wife¡¯s identification card but if you can identify them despite¡­¡±


    The officer feels sorry. This is the hardest part of their job. To deliver heartbreaking news to the bereaved family. They can¡¯t get used to it. They will never be used to it.


    ¡± As I told you earlier, they were found on the rocky part of the shore. Because of that and being on the water for too long.. it is really hard to identify them. Their faces are beyond recognition¡­ we¡¯re sorry, sir. ¡±


    He gives the clear stic bag to Elven. His eyes still can¡¯t believe seeing his wife¡¯s jacket and ID and  his daughter¡¯s clothes.


    ¡± Oh my. Those are Belle¡¯s jacket and the clothes that I gave to Yuffa. ¡±


    Leona says after she sees the content of the clear stic bag. There¡¯s no doubt about it. Elven was brought to his knees. He can¡¯t take it anymore. He doesn¡¯t want to believe what was happening but there¡¯s no use for denying.


    Eliana walks toward the door of the morgue and opens it.


    ¡± Go and identify them if you can. ¡±


    ¡± Stop it Eliana! Can¡¯t you see your brother¡¯s suffering? He¡¯s already dying inside! Do you want him to lose his sanity? You¡¯re asking for too much! ¡±


    She¡¯s taken aback. She thought Leona would support her more. After all, they don¡¯t like his brother¡¯s wife.


    ¡± Eliana, please stop making your brother suffer more. He¡¯s hurting enough as it is. We should respect him and her family. ¡±


    Leona whispered while holding onto Eliana¡¯s arm. Eliana looks at Leona and then turns to Elven and Belle¡¯s family who¡¯s sobbing quietly.


    Elven can¡¯t hear anything. Everything around him seems to stop as if the world has stood still. His mind can¡¯t process any of these. Tears won¡¯t stop. He wanted to shout so loud but he couldn¡¯t find his voice. The pain is unbearable. He just hugs his family¡¯s belongings and cries to his heart¡¯s content.


    The search is over. But it ends his will to live too.

 Chapter 5 Twisted Fate

    Nicolo Esquibel walks out of the mansion because of a heated argument with his grandfather.


    ¡± What the hell is he thinking? ¡±


    He muttered to himself annoyingly.


    ¡± Sir Nick, wait. Please. ¡±


    Cris Adams, Nicolo¡¯s right hand man follows him in a quicken pace cause his boss¡¯ strides were long and quick.


    ¡± Go back, Adams. I want to be alone. ¡±


    ¡± But, sir. Your grandpa will kill me if I go back without you! ¡±


    ¡± Huh! That¡¯s absurd. Stop poking my conscience, you fool. I don¡¯t have one. ¡±


    Adams paused. He can¡¯t help but scratch his head. He knows it¡¯s just a bluff but Don Augustus Esquibel scares the wits out of him whenever he¡¯s angry. And Sir Nick always makes him mad as hell.


    ¡® Do I sin so much in my past life to suffer like this? ¡®


    Before he realizes it, Nicolo was out of his sight.


    ¡± Sir Nick! Where are you? Please go back with me, you know how scared I am of your grandpa! ¡±


    Nicolo gets out of the forest and heads to the shore. He can still hear Adams pleading but he didn¡¯t bother. He needs to calm down and rx for a bit. He needs some quiet time. He walks slowly and absentmindedly. Just looking at the vast ocean wherever his eyes are able to reach. He heaves a deep sigh and looks down at his feet. Out of frustration he kicks the sand.


    ¡± I will never do what you want! You annoying old man! ¡±


    After he spoke those words he turned his back and headed back to the forest but then something caught his eyes. Or rather someone?


    ¡± Holy sh*t! ¡±


    He ran as fast as he could and reached the woman that she saw lying on the shore. And what makes him more surprised is the baby beside her.


    ¡± What the hell? ¡±


    The woman is lying on her side and her arms wrapped around the baby. It seems like she¡¯s protecting the baby even though she¡¯s unconscious or already dead. Blood stains on her face and neck were visible and on the sand too.


    Nicolo didn¡¯t waste his time and shifted her body toy her on her back and check the baby¡¯s heartbeat and breathing first. He exhaled a sigh of relief when he confirmed that she¡¯s alive. He removed his hoodie jacket and wrapped the baby. He was d that she¡¯s alive but she¡¯s running a fever.


    ¡± Poor angel¡­ ¡±


    Then he checked the woman. He can¡¯t hear her heartbeat. Her pulse is so weak she¡¯s barely breathing!


    ¡± Oh dear. Don¡¯t you dare do this to me. ¡±


    He started CPR. He pumps on her chest at a steady pace and breathes air on her mouth then checks her heartbeat.


    ¡± Come on! Live for your baby! ¡±


    As if shouting will wake her up while he tries his best to revive her. He continued to do the resuscitation for 30 minutes and then..


    ¡± Sir Nick! ¡±


    Adams came running. The baby woke up and started to cry.


    ¡± Mommy! Mommy! ¡±


    ¡± Pick up the baby and bring her to the mansion, she had a fever! Quick! ¡±


    ¡± Ye-yes Sir! ¡±


    Without asking questions, Adams picks up the baby.


    ¡± Goodness! Hey, can you hear me? ¡±


    The woman opened her eyes and met Nicolo¡¯s worried gaze.


    ¡± My¡­ baby¡­ ¡±


    And then she closed her eyes again. Nicolo checked again if she¡¯s still breathing.


    ¡± She¡¯s just unconscious. ¡±


    She picked up the woman and they headed to the mansion in the middle of the forest. The baby¡¯s still crying.


    When they¡¯re almost reaching the mansion, a man with ashen hair stands outside the door. His aura speaks of high authority. His sharp eyes contained hundreds of questions at the sight of Nicolo and Adams but he stepped out of the way.


    ¡± Bring them to the guest room. Mrs. Powell, please prepare the first aid, hot water and dry towels! Quick! ¡±


    The two gentlemen pass through the Don. The Don¡¯s strict features soften at the sight of the baby.


    ¡® Poor little soul¡­ ¡®


    But a cold wave swept down his spine as his gaze reached the mother. He literally stiffened. His body can¡¯t move from an utterly shock. He blinks to make sure that his eyes are not ying tricks on him.


    ¡® Wilhelmina¡­? ¡®


    When Don Augustus recovers from his bewilderment, he follows the lot to the guest room. The woman is lying on the bed while the baby is being taken care of Mrs. Judy Powell, the mansion¡¯s caretaker. She already stripped their wet clothes and wrapped them in a robe.


    She¡¯s trying to feed the baby with cow¡¯s milk in an open cup. Well, where can they possibly find a feeding bottle and form milk here in the middle of the forest, located at the end of an ind, isted from everyone? It¡¯s all they have right now and fortunately the baby takes it without a fuss. She must be really hungry.


    On the other hand, Nicolo checked the woman¡¯s head injury.


    ¡± The cut is too deep and there¡¯s swelling. She needs craniotomy. And I guess she also lost too much blood ¡±


    ¡± Adams, get the chopper right now! ¡±


    ¡± Yes, Don Augustus. ¡±


    Adams fished his phone out of his pocket and called the pilot. Then he called the nearest hospital on the ind.


    ¡± Sir Nick, the chopper is ready. ¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Nicolo then again carried the woman in his arms. Followed by Mrs. Powell with the baby. Don Augustus talks briefly on his phone before following them.


    After a 15 minutes flight they arrived at the hospital. They quickly get the mother and the baby to undergo different tests to know their current condition.


    A nurse came to register the patients.


    ¡± Let¡¯s talk about itter, please. ¡±


    Don Augustus kindly declines the registration process as they don¡¯t know what really happened.


    ¡± Don Augustus. Sir Nick. ¡±


    Adams calls out to get their attention after the nurse leaves.


    ¡± I found out that a ship traveling towards this ind sankst night because of the heavy rain and the poor condition of the ship itself. There were 17 casualties and 5 were still missing. But among the missing passengers, there¡¯s no one that fit the description of the woman and her baby that we found. There¡¯s 3 men and 2 women that¡¯s still missing. One is a crew and the other one is a single woman with a fake contact number and address. And all the children have been rescued and identified so there¡¯s no more missing. ¡±


    ¡± So if they¡¯re not passengers, do you think their victims of human trafficking? ¡±


    News about human trafficking are up on every news channel in and outside the country. Even on different social media tforms.


    Don Augustus¡¯ brows furrowed, thinking deeply about what might really happen.


    ¡± Excuse me, you¡¯re with the patients? ¡±


    ¡± Yes Doctor, how are they? ¡±


    Nicolo¡¯s answer brings back the Don from his deep thoughts.


    ¡± The baby suffered from hypothermia. We just need to increase her body temperature to make her feel better ¡±


    That makes sense. They must be in the water for too long.


    ¡± However, the mother¡¯s condition is beyond our hospital capabilities. We¡¯ve treated her wound but that¡¯s all that we can do. ¡±


    ¡± What bullsh*t are you talking about? ¡±


    ¡± Sir Nick, please calm down. ¡±


    ¡± We understand you, Sir. But we really can¡¯t do anything about her condition in our hospital. She needed a blood transfusion because of blood loss and we don¡¯t have her blood type on our blood bank and I don¡¯t really think we can find a donor because it¡¯s really rare. ¡±


    ¡± What¡¯s her blood type? Rh- ? ¡±


    They were surprised by the question from Don Augustus.


    ¡± Is that so? I¡¯m willing to be a donor. ¡±


    The doctor turns his gaze from Don Augustus to Nicolo.


    ¡± I¡¯m d to hear that but that¡¯s not the end of our problem. She needs to undergo a craniotomy and no one in this hospital has ever done that. We don¡¯t even have the specialized tools to be able to do the operation. But if she can¡¯t undergo the surgery, the swelling and the internal bleeding may cause her death. ¡±


    They fell silent. The doctor excuses himself. Nicolo faced the wall of the hospital¡¯s corridor and pressed his head against it. Don Augustus massaged his temple while his back was leaning on the wall opposite the direction of Nicolo.


    ¡± What are we going to do now? ¡±


    Adams¡¯ question is everyone¡¯s question in their mind.


    ¡± Gramps, let¡¯s take her to Travis. ¡±


    Don Augustus heaves a sigh.


    ¡± I guess it¡¯s our only solution. Adams, get the private ne and tell Attorney Mendez that I also need him here. Now. ¡°

 Chapter 6 Out of Nowhere

    Attorney David Mendez arrived at the hospital after 1 hour. He is one of the cream of the cropwyers from LE Firm. A well-knownw firm based in the United States and branches out in different countries. Atty. Mendez is the current CEO of LE Firm that was based here in the Philippines.


    ¡± Don Augustus. Sir Nicolo. ¡±


    Attorney Mendez says as he shakes hands with both gentlemen.


    ¡± Thank you foring on such short notice.¡±


    Nicolo said.


    ¡± It¡¯s no trouble, Sir Nick. I understand that this is important. ¡± Attorney Mendez said politely.


    ¡± I need you to take care of some papers. And I need you to get us permission to fly in the US right now with an emergency patient and her daughter. ¡±


    ¡± I understand Don Augustus. ¡±


    Atty. Mendez sits in the waiting area and flips open hisptop and starts typing documents and makes a lot of phone calls through his phone. Thewyer then went to the nurses station and walked back into the waiting area holding some copies of documents.


    ¡± I¡¯m d that you¡¯ve taken time out from your busy schedule to do these for me. I have someone who needs medical attention so we¡¯re going to have to leave as soon as possible. ¡±


    Don Augustus said. Attorney Mendez shook his head.


    ¡± No, sir. That¡¯s not a problem at all. ¡±


    Nicolo quietly moves away from them and starts to dial on his phone too.


    ¡± Hey, Travis.¡±


    ¡± Hey. I double checked the caller ID and I really can¡¯t believe my eyes. ¡±


    Said the man on the other line followed by a chuckle. Nicolo on the other hand is a bit embarrassed. He reached the back of his head and closed his eyes tight. He has never spoken to Travis ever since ¡®that¡¯ day and even years have already passed, approaching him gets a little bit harder and awkward.


    ¡± Stop makin¡¯ fun of me, stupid doctor. ¡±


    But it just makes Travisugh more. He can imagine Nicolo¡¯s embarrassed face right now. Nicolo can¡¯t help but smile a bit as he hears Travisughter.


    ¡± Seriously Doctor Williams, I need your help. I mean, there¡¯s someone who needs your help. ¡±


    Neurosurgeon Travis Williams stoppedughing and suddenly became serious.


    ¡± Who is it? What happens? ¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t know who she is and I don¡¯t know what exactly happened. But I think, no, we think that we needed to save her. No matter what. ¡±


    ¡± Oh. ¡±


    The doctor finds it weird but he doesn¡¯t mind. This patient makes Nicolo call him first so the doctor thinks he owes this girl big time. He will thank her after he saves her.


    ¡± Okay. Bring her here. I¡¯ll wait for you. ¡±


    And they ended the phone call. Nicolo exhaled exasperatedly. He feels that a weight on his heart has been lifted.


    ¡® Who would have thought that an emergency operation would make me call that punk first? ¡®


    After he pocketed his phone he saw his Grandpa talking seriously on his phone.


    ¡® What¡¯s going on with this old man? ¡®


    He walks toward him.


    ¡± Okay. Tell me immediately when you find him. ¡±


    ¡® Who was he looking for? ¡®


    Don Augustus¡¯ calls ended before Nicolo could get close to him.


    ¡± I talked to Travis. ¡±


    The Don¡¯s brows arched.


    ¡± Don¡¯t give me that look. It¡¯s annoying. ¡±


    ¡± Huh. Says the most annoying human I¡¯ve ever met. ¡±


    ¡± Says the one I inherited that with. ¡±


    ¡± Do you really have to be the one who says thest word? ¡±


    ¡± Yes. ¡±


    ¡± I think my blood pressure just spikes at its highest. ¡±


    ¡± Good for you, we¡¯re already at the hospital. ¡±


    ¡± Sir Nick! ¡±


    ¡® This duo is at it again! ¡±


    The two look at him at the same time with a smug face.


    ¡® Hot headedness and sarcasm truly run in the blood ¡®


    ¡± Ah. Eh. Yeah. The hospital said we can go now. Attorney Mendez already took care of it. And our private ne is already at the airport. ¡±


    ¡± Good. Let¡¯s go. We don¡¯t want to waste time. ¡±


    ¡± Please escort Mrs. Powell and Euphemia. ¡±


    ¡± Is that the baby¡¯s name sir Nick? How did you know? ¡±


    ¡± Ah, that. Mrs. Powell told me that she saw that name embroidered on the baby¡¯s clothes. So we assumed that that¡¯s her name. ¡±


    Adams slowly nodded.


    ¡® I think I¡¯ve heard that name somewhere but I can¡¯t put my finger into it. ¡®


    The nursees and escorts the group to the elevator. Once inside, the doors shut. The elevator goes up to the seventh floor where the ICU unit is located. Nicolo opens the door and walks straight towards the room without hesitation. The moment he entered he saw her lying on the bed with tubes all over her body. She looks like a sleeping beauty with long ck hair on either side of her face. As Nicolo walks towards the bed and stands next to her bed, he sees that she now has some color on her face. There are bags underneath her eye, which indicates that she lost quite a bit of energy. Her heartbeat was also fast but stable, unlike a few minutes ago.


    ¡± I wonder what her name is. ¡±


    Adam spoke absentmindedly.


    ¡± Mirage. ¡±


    Nicolo looked at his grandfather with knowing eyes.


    ¡® Now I wonder why he would say that name out of nowhere. ¡®


    ¡± That¡¯s a nice name. ¡±


    Adams said not thinking anything about it. As Nicolo was about to respond, the doctor came in and walked up to the bed.


    ¡± She woke up 10 minutes ago, but she hasn¡¯t regained consciousness yet again. Mr. Esquibel, you can lie here at the other bed so we can start the blood transfusion. ¡±


    ¡± Alright. ¡±


    Nicolo just replied and dismissed the thought inside his head. Now is not the time to question everything he notices regarding his grandfather¡¯s behavior. Nicolo knows that something is off the moment he brought this woman into the mansion. She really needs to survive this to make everything clear.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    The doctor sighed.


    ¡± She has very weak vital signs. We have tried everything and her condition still isn¡¯t improving. She really needs the surgery ¡°

 Chapter 7 Familiarity

    Esquibel¡¯s private ne arrives in the US in no time. They were met by an ambnce owned by the hospital Dr. Travis is working. And Dr. Travis goes out of his way and meets them himself. It¡¯s been a while since anyone has seen him. He looks a bit different than when theyst saw each other. His hair is shorter. More mature. He wears eyesses, but it¡¯s hard for anyone to tell if he really is older or younger looking at his age, as he is an Esquibel.


    ¡± It¡¯s been a while, Don Augustus. ¡±


    He greeted him politely.


    ¡± Ah, yeah. You¡¯re always so busy saving lives that you don¡¯t have time to meet your grandpa, Dr. Travis. ¡±


    Dr. Travis shed a thrift smile and gave his grandfather a warm hug.


    ¡± I miss you, Gramps. I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t visit you at all. ¡±


    ¡± I understand, son. I understand. ¡±


    They break the hug and Cris Adams walks towards them.


    ¡± Excuse me, gentlemen. Dr. Travis, good to see you again. The patients are already in the ambnce, we¡¯re ready to go. ¡±


    ¡± Looking good, Adams. Seems your Sir Nick didn¡¯t give you much trouble nowadays, huh? ¡±


    ¡± If you only knew, doctor. After your operation, please do some thorough check up on me. I¡¯m begging you. ¡±


    Dr. Travis chuckles while he shakes his head.


    ¡± So many things to catch up with, let¡¯s do thatter when everything works out fine. ¡±


    Then they head towards the vehicles.


    ¡± We¡¯ll follow you to the hospital, Dr. Travis. ¡±


    ¡± Take care of my grandpa for us. Keep everyone safe. ¡±


    Dr. Travis got in the ambnce and there he found Nicolo with his patient undergoing blood transfusion. The baby who¡¯s still sleeping was carried by a nurse. She seems at peace. Maybe because she can feel her mother¡¯s presence even though she¡¯s going through a lot right now.


    ¡± You can stop that already, Nick. I¡¯ve brought some with me. ¡±


    ¡± What about the surgery? Will there be enough blood you can use? ¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry about it. We¡¯re stocked. I donated my blood regrly, you know. We¡¯ve saved that much. ¡±


    ¡± Good to know. ¡±


    Dr. Travis removes the needle on Nicolo and connects it to the blood bag. Nicolo shiftedfortably on his seat and rested his head while his eyes were closed.


    ¡± You looked drained. ¡±


    Nicolo gives him a smirk. He doesn¡¯t just look like he¡¯s drained, he really feels that he¡¯s drained. They started the transfusion even before they left the hospital in the Philippines. So he¡¯s probably at his limit of what he can give.


    ¡± Well, I kind of understand why you¡¯re doing these things to this extent. There¡¯s something about her that, how will I put it? That seems familiar. It¡¯s not her face but the feeling that you feel when you look at her. ¡±


    ¡± Yeah. ¡±Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Nicolo replied curtly. He, himself, doesn¡¯t know why he¡¯s doing these things. He doesn¡¯t have time to y heroes so why can¡¯t he leave this woman alone? For all he cares, he can just throw it all to Adams to take care of everything.


    But yeah, there¡¯s really this familiar feeling that keeps him on his edge. He can¡¯t even point his finger or even think of what it would really be or what name you call it. And the more puzzling is¡­


    He¡¯s not the only one who¡¯s feeling this way.


    Dr. Travis Esquibel Williams, his cousin and Don Augustus Esquibel, their grandfather, were also drawn into her.


    They arrived at the hospital. The hospital¡¯s entrance hall is decorated with various paintings and pictures from famous artists from all around the world. But they don¡¯t have time to appreciate anything this time.


    From the first floor they get ess to a waiting room and all of them sit down together and wait.


    ¡± I¡¯ve asked the staff not to disclose any information about you. So far, everyone¡¯s saying they haven¡¯t seen you. I hope you don¡¯t mind. If there¡¯s anything you need you can just let me know. We¡¯re going to move her now. ¡±


    Dr. Travis said when he came back after he immediately changed into his scrub suit as soon as they arrived. They quickly moved Mirage to the OR. Then, Dr. Travis meets Nicolo and Don Augustus outside the operating room.


    ¡± I¡¯ll take it from here. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll do everything I can to save her no matter what. ¡±


    Travis pat Nicolo¡¯s shoulder and Nicolo just nods.


    ¡± Please, my grandson. Save her. ¡±


    Nicolo and Travis looked at each other astonished. They were a bit taken aback by their grandfather¡¯s remark. It was unexpected of him. And he sounded so desperate.


    Nicolo knows their grandfather well enough to know how he acts, but hearing him say those words is quite the surprise. He couldn¡¯t help but feel touched and weird to hear it.


    It makes him wonder. Why does he sound that desperate? Is he worried about something else? Or did he finally find someone new and important in his life? Something that made him forget about his pride? What¡¯s with that girl? Who is she? Why is he acting like this?


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry. Everything will work out perfectly. I promise. ¡±


    With a nod he walks towards the hallway leading to the OR.


    ¡± Dr. Travis¡­ ¡±


    The voice came from behind and Travis stopped mid-step.


    The Don gives them a sad smile when he notices the exchange of nces as Dr. Travis looked back puzzled.


    The old man¡¯s gaze falls onto his hands and he begins to y with his thumbs, almost nervous.


    ¡± She looks just like my wife Wilhelmina, when I first met her, your loving Grandma. ¡±


    The Don said sadly after remembering the past.


    ¡± She also looks like my son, your Uncle Alfonse, in a way. ¡± the old man continued, then paused for a while.


    ¡± I think¡­


    She¡¯s my long lost granddaughter, Mirage Arielle Esquibel. ¡±


    And then it clicked.


    Nicolo and Dr. Travis exchanged another nce, both feeling confused at the same time.


    Nicolo¡¯s demeanor suddenly changed after he heard that. He bes as rigid, stiff as possible. And his eyes start to be ssy. It took several minutes to process what he just learned. And the longer he stays quiet, the heavier the weight on his heart gets.

 Chapter 8 Miserable Past

    Nicolo¡¯s face turned cold and he forced a fake smile.


    ¡± You should go, Dr. Travis.¡±


    Travis was dazed but he also got serious when he came to his senses.


    ¡± The operation will take too long so I suggest you all take a rest. I¡¯m going. ¡±


    He then vanished behind the operating room¡¯s door. Nicolo looked at his grandpa with questioning eyes. Don Augustus sat down on the bench outside the operating room, looking exhausted and fed up. He seems that he¡¯s already had enough even before he started.


    ¡± I bet you still remember everything as if it happened yesterday, Nicolo. ¡±


    ¡± Of course. Who would forget when you were branded as a liar, crazy story-maker and delusional 10 year old boy? ¡±


    Glint of pain stricken on his eyes as he muttered those words bringing up again the memory of his unpleasant childhood.


    Don Augustus exhaled full of regrets. Remembering the past makes him feel terribly miserable.


    ¡± That¡¯s why I don¡¯t me you for hating me. You experienced those awful things because of me and me, regretting now won¡¯t make a bit of difference. ¡±


    Nicolo stays silent. Pointing fingers and ming won¡¯t really help and change anything right now.


    ¡± You must have heard about how I disagree with your Uncle Alfonse¡¯s wife, Miranda, right? Well, that time, I am truly convinced that she¡¯s just after our money. After all, she knew that we were just taking a vacation in the Philippines at that time. I didn¡¯t see the good in her. Or her good intentions. I was being conceited, narrow minded and a total jerk. All I want to do is to remove her from my son¡¯s life. She was just a nuisance for the future that I paved for him. I was blinded by my own belief of what¡¯s good for my son that I forgot to ask him what would really make him happy. ¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s why I¡¯ve done something unforgivable¡­ ¡±


    ¡± Alfonse ran away from home, he flew back to the Philippines and lived with that woman I despise. I cut off all his credit cards thinking he woulde back if he had no more money to use, I ordered everypany that he tries to work with to decline his application or fire him. But that doesn¡¯t stop him. He worked as a part-timer. On a cheap restaurant, gasoline station, as a taxi driver and even in a rundown factory. He worked hard making a living for the family he started to build. Outside the luxurious life I worked very hard to give to him. ¡±


    ¡± But one day, that woman called me and asked me to send her arge sum of money. Knowing that I was right about her makes me unbelievably mad. I ridiculed her. Throw every disgusting word I can think of. I don¡¯t give a damn even if she¡¯s pregnant that time. I send her the money in exchange for her child and that she will never ever face my son again. She agreed without a second thought and took my money. ¡±


    ¡± A couple of dayster, she informed me that she¡¯s about to give birth. So we also flew back to the Philippines and stayed for a vacation. At the hospital, I saw that It was indeed a beautiful baby girl. That time, the daughter-inw of someone who worked for me before had also given birth at that hospital but the baby died. I asked that man to switch the babies so Miranda would think that her baby died and she couldn¡¯t use Alfonse¡¯s daughter to get money from me in the future. That¡¯s the time you and Travis saw that man switch the babies. Both of you followed me to the hospital when you overheard that I¡¯m going to get the baby. I still couldn¡¯t believe both of you have the guts to follow me all by yourself let alone in a foreign country at that very young age. ¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Both of them make a sad smile remembering that incident.


    Nicolo and Travis identally heard that their baby girl cousin was being born that time. They were thrilled by the thought that they got another cousin. So they sneaked out of the vi, hailed a cab and followed Don Augustus. At the hospital, they witnessed the babies getting switched. They told the doctors and nurses they saw what happened but no one believes them as the CCTV camera footage doesn¡¯t show that something like that happens. Travis as a boy was discouraged when the adults told them that they were just mistaken or confused or just being silly. He chose to be silent and admitted that maybe they were really mistaken.


    But Nicolo insisted that he saw everything and that he¡¯s not just making up stories. They call him a liar and a boy who cried baby. They make fun of him until their bodyguards show up to bring them back home. Since then, he never talked to Travis for not taking his side and not standing up with him. It¡¯s been 25 years already and he grows distant to Travis that¡¯s why he finds it hard and awkward to approach him again.


    ¡± I ordered them to delete that scene from the footage. I¡¯m sorry, I need to do that. It was really a pathetic thing to do but I have to. Even that will make you a liar. I really thought I was doing that to protect our family, but I was absolutely wrong. You, Travis, Alfonse, my wife and my granddaughter suffer because of me. ¡±


    The Don¡¯s eyes turned watery at the mention of his beloved wife. His wife finds out everything and is struck with deep sorrow. She suffers depression that makes her health deteriorate. Before she¡¯s gone, he wished for her husband to be able to make amends of what he¡¯s done and to make everything right and make their family happy again.


    But the Don couldn¡¯t do it.


    Don Augustus also suffered depression after his wife passed away. And he really doesn¡¯t know what to do after knowing that the money Miranda asked him about was meant for his son who¡¯s suffering at the hospital at that time because of some people who dare choose to be evil. Alfonse was stabbed by a robber on his way home. After Miranda recovers from the death of her daughter, she goes back to South Korea, and leaves Alfonse behind without saying anything.


    ¡± I was the one who ruined our family and made it like this. When Alfonse realized that it¡¯s all my fault, he followed his wife to South Korea. I didn¡¯t do anything to stop him. I don¡¯t want to make mistakes again and stop them from being able to live their life at peace despite what happens so I dare not meddle anymore. I just send someone from time to time to know if they¡¯re doing alright.¡±


    ¡± My granddaughter¡­ who¡¯s innocent and knows nothing about all of this¡­ was gone under my surveince. That man that switched the babies died and his family moved to a different ce that no one knows. I ordered to search for them but wasn¡¯t able to find them because ofck of leads. I¡¯m losing hope that I wasn¡¯t going to see her anymore until you saved that woman. ¡±


    Nicolo who¡¯s silently listening felt a roller coaster ride of emotion. He understood everything and felt sorry but he also found the reason absurd. He knows that condemning Don Augustus from every negative thing that happened in the past won¡¯t make it anything better. Nicolo breathed out exasperatedly.


    ¡± For now, let¡¯s all hope for her to pull through¡­¡±

 Chapter 9 Results

    After 5 hours of operation, Dr. Travis walks out of the operating room. Don Augustus immediately stood up from his seat while Nicolo adjusted his eyes from being closed for too long. And he¡¯s still a little bit dizzy from all the blood he gives out today.  He feels totally lightweight at the moment.


    ¡°Alright, we have finished the procedures without any problem. ¡± Dr. Travis said as he wiped off some stray sweat from his face with the back of his hand.


    ¡± So, how is she, son? ¡±


    Dr. Travis smiles weakly as he¡¯s totally beat up.


    ¡± The operation is a sess, Gramps. She¡¯s going to be okay. ¡±


    ¡± You¡¯re really good at what you do, huh? ¡±


    Dr. Travis epts the high five from Nicolo with a grin.


    ¡± Of course. She needs to get better because I¡¯m going to treat her somewhere when she wakes up. ¡±


    ¡± Seriously? What for? ¡±


    ¡± To express my gratitude! Because she¡¯s the reason you call me after 25 freaking years! ¡±


    Nicolo faced-palm. He literally walks away to save his face from Travis¡¯ teasing. Travisughed heartily as he missed Nicolo so much. Don Augustus smiles weakly.


    ¡± Hey! Where do you think you¡¯re going? ¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m gonna wait for her at the VIP room and sleep rather than spend time talking to you! ¡±


    Dr. Travisughed and shook his head.


    ¡± You¡¯re still the same, Nicolo. Same old stubborn Nick. ¡±


    Dr. Travis whispered with a smile as he watched Nicolo¡¯s back disappear from around the corner.


    ¡± Hey¡­ Thanks. ¡±


    Don Augustus hugs him tight. Travis returns it and he can hear Don Augustus sniffling on his shirt. After Travis breaks the hug, Don Augustus takes off his sses. Travis looks at Don Augustus with concern.


    ¡± It seems that this case has been quite hard for you to handle. It must have been stressing you out for too long, Gramps. ¡±


    The old man shook his head.


    ¡± This is the price I¡¯ve had to pay. ¡±


    And he quietly walked away. Dr Travis breathed out, looking up as he ced his both hands on either side of his waist. And then he looked at his grandfather who was walking away with his shoulders slumped. The mighty and powerful business tycoon was down and powerless.


    Nicolo headed to the VIP room with a smirk. There, he was weed by the baby cries. Mrs. Powell was sent back to the Philippines so a nurse was requested to take care of the baby for the meantime.


    ¡± Hey, sweetie, what¡¯s the matter? Your mommy will be here in a minute. She¡¯s safe now. She still needs to rest though. ¡±


    He bends down and smiles warmly at the baby who¡¯s lying on the crib near the hospital bed. The baby, still crying, reached out her little hands and touched Nicolo¡¯s face. He was caught off guard by the tiny gesture. He slowly picked her up andid her head on his chest. The baby yawns.


    ¡± Oh. You sleepy head. ¡±


    Nicolo then started to sway and rock the baby to sleep. The nurse with the feeding bottle came from the room¡¯s kitchen and was a bit amazed when he saw Nicolo with the baby.


    ¡± I thought she was hungry. She¡¯s been crying non-stop earlier and however I rock her to sleep or y with her, she just won¡¯t stop crying. ¡±


    She looks apologetic that she can¡¯t do something to stop the baby from crying.


    ¡± Maybe she missed her Mom. She¡¯ll always be so quiet whenever she can see her mom or she¡¯s just beside her. She seems at peace even though her Mom¡¯s unconscious. ¡±


    ¡± She¡¯sfortable enough even just with her Mom¡¯s presence. ¡±


    ¡± I think so, too. ¡±


    Nicolo can¡¯t help but smile while looking at the sleeping baby. The door opens and Travis¡¯ brows are lifted up in amusement.


    ¡± What an admirable uncle you are, Nick. ¡±


    ¡± Shut up. ¡±


    Nicolo hissed and he gave a threatening stare to tell Travis to keep quiet. Travisughs softly, careful not to make too much noise that will wake the baby. Don Augustus shakes his head watching his two grandsons bickering. He was so d that they¡¯re finally okay. That they¡¯re finally able to talk to each other. They really missed each other. A lot


    Mirage who was being pushed by the other hospital staff arrived and they transferred her to her hospital bed. Everyone leaves after theyplete the setup except for Dr. Travis.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Then they heard the nurse entering again, they all turned their heads towards her. She greeted them, walked over and handed Euphemia¡¯s baby bag and clothes. She ced the diaper bag next to the dresser. Said goodbye and left the room. Travis and Nicolo nced back at Mirage. She was asleep. She looks so beautiful.


    ¡± She really looks like your Grandma when she¡¯s young. ¡±


    Don Augustus sadly states after he walks slowly beside her bed. Travis and Nicolo remain at a loss for words. They have lots of questions but they can¡¯t put themselves to speak. After a while, someone knocked on the door.


    ¡± Sir, it¡¯s me. Adams. ¡±


    ¡± Come in. ¡±


    He opened the door and their gaze dropped at the papers he was holding. He entered and closed the door behind him. He simply gave them to the old man. Don Augustus examined the papers and it suddenly began to shake, his hands were trembling.


    ¡± She really is¡­ my granddaughter, Mirage. ¡±


    The doctor caught his breath. He couldn¡¯t believe it. Though they already have a good feeling about her, he still couldn¡¯t help his astonishment. He really did. She was indeed their cousin. The same one who was lost all those years ago. He didn¡¯t know how to react. His heart beat fast and made his eyes water. He wiped the tears, trying topose himself.


    However, he doesn¡¯t want to ruin the moment. So he still kept quiet.


    Dr. Travis sat on the empty seats and they were silent, only staring at Mirage. She slept peacefully like nothing happened.


    ¡± I¡¯m so sorry. ¡±


    Don Augustus said quietly, breaking the silence. Travis just shakes his head and smiles a bit.


    ¡± It¡¯s alright, Gramps. Everything is fine now. ¡±


    And he means everything.


    ¡­ or maybe not.

 Chapter 10 Awaken

    Don Augustus staggered and almost fell on his knees. Dr. Travis and Adams were quick to aid the Don. Nicolo took a nce at the papers their grandfather was still holding, it was a DNA test result. And based on what the Don says, it was confirmed that she was the lost daughter of his eldest son, Alfonse. Adams offers the old man a chair and helps him sit down beside the hospital bed. The old man sped Mirage¡¯s hand and nted a gentle kiss. Tears ran down his face.


    ¡± I finally found you my dear. I¡¯m sorry, Grandpa took so long. Please forgive me. ¡±


    The high and mighty Don Augustus Esquibel who was a notable and a renowned business tycoon known for his overwhelming wealth, possessed a domineering authority, showered by lots of respect, possessed limitless power and connection was crying now on his knees and begging for forgiveness to his still unconscious granddaughter.


    Adams gave Nicolo an apologetic look and motioned to him that he would leave them alone. The young man turned to Dr. Travis and nodded towards the door.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    The doctor¡¯s eyes followed Adams as thetter walked out and closed the door behind him. The two men looked each other in the eyes. They both knew what had just happened. And from the looks of it, it¡¯s beyond what they could ever have imagined. It¡¯s a miracle that the baby they saw being switched for a dead baby 25 years ago was now lying in the bed in front of them.


    Nicolo, still holding the baby, can¡¯t bear to look at his old man whom he thinks highly of even though they often sh. He quietly walks towards the window and looks nowhere. Dr. Travis kneels down with one knee and gently pat the back of the weeping old man.


    ¡± Gramps, everything will be alright. Please take a rest now. We don¡¯t want you getting sick. You need to be strong to face her when she wakes up. ¡±


    Don Augustus heeded the words of his grandson. Adams, who was waiting quietly outside the room and Dr. Travis apanied Don Augustus to the car park where his driver was waiting so he could go home and rest.


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry, Gramps, we¡¯ll call you as soon as she wakes up.¡±


    The old man smiles at the doctor. His eyes are red and swollen.


    ¡± Thank you, if anything happens, please informed me immediately. ¡±


    And the car took off.


    But nothing happened after that. Nothing because she didn¡¯t wake up as they thought she would¡­


    It¡¯s been a week since the operation and Mirage¡¯s still haven¡¯t woken up. Everyone¡¯s getting anxious.


    ¡± Mommy! Mommy! ¡±


    Euphemia holds up her little hands towards her mother who¡¯s still lying unconscious. Nicolo carefully puts her beside her mom. She quietly sat beside her and then suddenly shey her head on her Mom¡¯s chest and wrapped her tiny arms on her waist. It¡¯s kind of sweet and heart breaking at the same time.


    ¡± Don¡¯t worry sweetheart, Mommy¡¯s gonna wake up soon. ¡±


    Nicolo said while he softly stroke the baby¡¯s hair while he¡¯s sitting beside the bed. He can¡¯t deny the fact that he¡¯s growing attached to his niece. And Euphemia seemed to like him a lot, too. She only wants Nicolo to take care of her. The nurses were having trouble if Nicolo wasn¡¯t around. She cries on top of her lungs and it¡¯s non-stop!


    But Nicolo¡¯s never tired of cuddling her or feeding her. She loves his hugs and attention. She always clings on to his neck and nuzzles her face on his shirt cor. He loves it all.


    Someone knocked at the door and then it opened. Dr. Travis and some other doctors and nurses entered. Nicolo picks up the baby and takes a few steps away from Mirage. The baby stayed quiet and just looked around. Observing the adults.


    ¡± Hello Euphemia! ¡±


    Travis smiles but sadness is evident in his eyes. He knows he did everything and they don¡¯t encounter any problem during operation but still he feels so obligated. He¡¯s not having any good sleep since then though doctors really don¡¯t have the luxury of sleep but knowing she¡¯s their long lost cousin makes him a bit depressed.


    ¡± Everything¡¯s normal Dr. Williams. ¡± said the nurse. But still there¡¯s no sign of her waking up anytime soon.


    ¡°Every brain injury is different and unique and as a result every patient will regain consciousness from beingatose at a different rate. Generally, the more severe the brain damage, the longer it will take for the patient to recover. ¡±


    ¡± Sometimes, a patient may suddenly lose consciousness after being fully awake. Other times,atose patients may gradually regain consciousness. Due to the unpredictable nature of consciousness in the early stages of traumatic brain injury, it is nearly impossible to predict whether they will wake up after 24 hrs. ¡±


    Dr. West, the Neurologist Department head calmly exins as he sees Dr Travis contemting. The door suddenly opened and Don Augustus entered. Everyone exchanged pleasantries when suddenly Euphemia started to wiggle out from Nicolo¡¯s arms. Nicolo puts her down on the floor but doesn¡¯t let go of her hand. She walks towards the bed yanking Nicolo behind her. Everyone just watches out of amusement.


    ¡± Mommy, Mommy! ¡± Euphemia said as she reached the side of the bed. She let go of Nicolo¡¯s hand and touched her Mom¡¯s hand where tubes and needles were connected.


    And to everyone¡¯s astonishment, her eyes slowly opened.


    Her pupils constricted as the light hit her eyes. She tries to get up but her body seems to be stuck in ce.


    Mirage, who is still lying prone on the bed, stares at everyone who¡¯s looking at her with big eyes. Her sight is blurry and she has trouble focusing. The IVs in her arm and those machines that were connected to her are making her very ufortable. The painkillers she got from before had already worn out and she winced from pain. The doctor quickly goes over to her. He takes some tissues from the box ced next to her bed and wipes some sweat away from her forehead.

 Chapter 11 It Runs in the Blood

    The room suddenly filled with warm smiles. Don Augustus¡¯ eyes teared up. He didn¡¯t mind who could see, he was extremely d to be bothered by the trivial things. Nicolo kneels on his one knee before Euphemia and sits her on hisp.


    ¡± Look sweetie, Mommy¡¯s awake! ¡±


    Travis smiles and breathes out a sigh of relief. A thorn has been taken out of his heart. He walked to the other side of the bed and checked her eyes.


    ¡± Do you know where you are? ¡±


    Mirage tries to open her mouth and utter hospital in a hoarse voice. She tried to get up and sit again. Travis is quick to attend to her this time and helps her sit up.


    She looks around and tries to focus on any familiar things.


    ¡± Mommy!!! ¡±


    Mirage¡¯s face lit up as she found her baby at the other side of the bed. Nicolo lifts her up and lets her sit beside her mom. She hugs her tight and kisses her hair. Euphemia is so happy she¡¯s singing Mommy non-stop. Everyoneughed at the sweet child¡¯s delightfulness.


    ¡± Do you remember what happened? ¡±


    Mirage tore away her gaze from her child and scanned the room around once again and looked at the people¡¯s faces before she answered.


    ¡± No. ¡±


    Her forehead started to crease. Something is bothering her. The way everyone looks at each other, like they¡¯re thinking the same thing. Her gaze goes back to her daughter.


    ¡± Why am I even here?¡±


    Everyone in the room stayed silent. They all have an expression that tells them they know what she meant but are choosing not to jump quickly into a conclusion.


    ¡± How about, I asked you if you remember anything about what happened? ¡± Dr. Travis carefully asked.


    Mirage held her breath and then looked at Travis very intently. Euphemia started to rub her eyes and yawns. This sweet child doesn¡¯t have the slightest idea about the brewing tension. The silence kept way too long before she muttered under her breath.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know. I can¡¯t remember what happened¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ I can¡¯t even remember my own name¡­ ¡±


    An audible gasp was heard inside the room after she dropped those words. But her face remains passive. Emotionless. Ufortably calm.


    ¡± We need further examination. ¡±


    Travis initiated and took Mirage himself to be examined. Euphemia, who was already sleeping, was left in Nicolo¡¯s care. Don Augustus slumped on the sofa when everyone was out of sight. He wipes his face using both of his hands out of helplessness.


    ¡® Why does she need to suffer more? ¡®


    After a while, Dr. Travis came back with Mirage. She sweeps the room with her gaze and only feels at ease after she sees her daughter sleeping on the crib. She looks at Nicolo with probing eyes as he slowly rocks the crib back and forth. Dr. Travis helped her sit back on her hospital bed. Don Augustus walks near the bed with a wary face. Dr. Travis exhaled exasperatedly.


    ¡± She¡­ both have localized and selective amnesia. ¡±


    ¡± Oh dear. ¡±


    Don Augustus couldn¡¯t believe what he heard. His heart dropped on his feet. He weakly sat down on the chair beside her bed. His whole world just crumbled. All the emotions and hope of being reunited again with his granddaughter vanished into thin air. He knew it wasing. But he hoped that she would be fine, that she is fine. He just wished that she would stay healthy. For all of them.


    Nicolo expected the result but not to this extreme. Dr. Travis put his hand on his waist and the other one on his forehead. He gotta have a headache.


    Mirage still wore her poker face. She looks unbothered. Nicolo stands up and walks over them, hands in his pockets.


    ¡± You don¡¯t remember your name, right? ¡±


    Mirage nods in response. She seems somehow relieved that they finally knew that something was wrong with her.


    ¡± Is there anything else you want to tell us? ¡±


    Nicolo walks again away from them and leans on the door and stares at the ceiling.


    ¡± You have no memory of where you came from, where you lived before, or your family, friends, or even who you were, correct? ¡±


    He looks back at Mirage and continues.


    ¡°But you remember you have a baby? ¡±


    ¡± Yes. ¡±


    ¡± Do you remember her name? ¡±


    ¡± Euphemia¡­¡±


    She doesn¡¯t remember the surname. Nicolo waves his hand gesturing it doesn¡¯t matter if she doesn¡¯t know.


    ¡± Hmm.. What exactly do you know then? ¡±


    ¡± That I¡¯m her mom and she¡¯s my daughter named Euphemia. ¡±


    Nicolo¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line and heaved a deep sigh. They may be doing this often for a long time.


    ¡± That¡¯s all? ¡±


    ¡± Obviously. ¡±


    Another sigh.


    ¡± What is your take on this? I mean, you can¡¯t remember anything but you¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re way too calm..? ¡±


    Travis and Don Augustus who were just listening take a pause and slightly nod. Indeed. This isn¡¯t the reaction of most patients who wake up and don¡¯t remember anything.


    ¡± Do you want me to be hysterical about this like the way they do in the movies? ¡±


    She¡¯s not being sarcastic but it definitely sounds sarcastic. Nicolo¡¯s brow arch in amusement. Travis covers his little smile. Don Augustus suppressed augh with a fake cough.


    ¡± I wasn¡¯t expecting this kind of answer. ¡±


    ¡± It doesn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t really care how I look to anyone, least of all you. ¡±


    She says with a shrug.


    Travis and Don Augustus share nces. Nicolo seems a bit different today. Not the usual Nicolo who always keeps a straight face. His hot headedness and sarcasm alwayse first before anything else.


    ¡± You seem well educated and smart since you know how to speak in foreignnguage. ¡±


    Nicolo muttered this to himself. It was just him taking a note of her condition or rather his own observation of her. But Mirage rolled her eyes after she heard Nicolo¡¯s audible whisper.


    ¡± Am I supposed to be stupid from having an amnesia? ¡±


    Nicolo raises his eyebrow at her remark. Travis was also surprised by her suddenment. Don Augustus had to keep himself from bursting outughing.


    ¡± Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t mean to offend you. It¡¯s just a bad habit of mine, talking to myself even when there¡¯s people around. ¡±


    Nicolo said not really apologetic but there¡¯s a bit of it. Mirage snorted at his attempt to reassure her.


    ¡± What a weirdo. ¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Nicolo rolls his eyes at this remark. He turns his head away.


    ¡± This is what I get for saving you? ¡±


    Mirage huffs. She was going to retort when Nicolo continued talking.


    ¡± You don¡¯t even remember your real name yet. What makes you think that I give a fvck about whatever you say about me? ¡±


    Nicolo said, trying to end the conversation already because he thinks she needed to rest because of her condition.


    Mirage was silent for a moment. Then she gave him a small smirk.


    ¡°Oh, I wouldn¡¯t say anything more. After all, you really care for me is all that matters, right? ¡±


    Nicolo red at her with a heated face. She obviously wanted him to feel embarrassed. She¡¯s really trying his patience right now. Travis decided to intervene.


    ¡± Alright, let¡¯s end this discussion. I¡¯ll let you two to give it a rest. ¡±


    Both of them look away from each other.


    ¡± Seems like you found your match, Nick. ¡±


    Travis said with augh.


    ¡± It seems the DNA results aren¡¯t needed. It runs in the blood. ¡±


    Don Augustus remarked and he and Dr. Travisughed again in front of the poker faced Mirage and blushing Nicolo who didn¡¯t know how to back down but he did. For his cousin¡¯s sake.


    Looks like their worries slip a bit for a while.

 Chapter 12 Make it Up

    After the heartfulugh they try to calm down when they notice the annoyance on Mirage¡¯s still pale face. Don Augustus cleared his throat to make it known that they needed to get serious.


    It¡¯s been a while since they started to talk to each other but they still haven¡¯t introduced themselves. Nicolo then speaks in a very professional and charismatic way.


    ¡± Anyway, I¡¯m Nicolo Esquibel. The current CEO of Esquibel Group of Companies. I¡¯m your eldest and the most handsome cousin you¡¯ll ever have. ¡±


    ¡± Okay. ¡±


    Travis tried not tough again from the uninterested look and response Mirage gave Nicolo.


    ¡± I¡¯m Dr. Travis Esquibel Williams. A resident neurosurgeon in this hospital. I¡¯m the one that operated on you as per Nicolo¡¯s request. I¡¯m also your cousin, Nicolo and I have just a month difference. And oh, we¡¯re the only cousins you have.  ¡±


    ¡± Oh, thanks. ¡±


    ¡± I am your¡­ grandfather. Augustus Esquibel. Your name is Mirage Arielle Zer ¨C Esquibel. ¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s too long. ¡±


    Don Augustus scratches his head as he doesn¡¯t know what to say. Travis with a yful smile on his lips tries to be serious when he speaks.


    ¡± Regarding your condition, well, it¡¯s still unknown when you will be able to regain your memories, months or years, who knows? But as your personal doctor, I¡¯m going to monitor your development. We need to be careful as you have suffered a severe trauma and the swelling maye back. And we don¡¯t want you getting into aa again so don¡¯t push yourself into too much thinking. You need to stay in the hospital for about a month to fully recover from the operation. We¡¯ll slowly remind you of the things you need to know, bit by bit. ¡±


    Mirage listens carefully. She needs to be okay so she can take care of Euphemia. And she doesn¡¯t want to beatose again for goodness sake. She doesn¡¯t want to leave her child alone.


    ¡± You don¡¯t need to worry about anything. Just get better as soon as you can for your baby. ¡±


    She looks up at Nicolo. He speaks as if he reads her mind.


    ¡± You¡¯re the one who found us, right Nico? ¡±


    Nicolo¡¯s a bit surprised. No one ever called him that. It¡¯s always Nick. He¡¯s a bit distracted before he could answer her.


    ¡± Yeah. You were hugging Euphemia on the shore while your head was bleeding. ¡±


    ¡± Was my baby in bad condition then? ¡±


    ¡± Well, a baby floating on the sea is something I couldn¡¯t, no, I don¡¯t even want to imagine but it happens to you and Euphy. But I guess you did your best to protect her. That¡¯s why she¡¯s fine despite the fever. ¡±Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Mirage sighs in relief. She, too, can¡¯t imagine her baby floating on that cold water.


    ¡± Where¡¯s my parents? ¡±


    Silence. They were caught off guard by her question. Though they knew that she¡¯ll ask somehow about them.


    Travis and Nicolo look at Don Augustus. The old man¡¯s eyes panicked. He doesn¡¯t know what to do!


    But he needs to tell her the truth.


    ¡± Well, I don¡¯t really know where to start. Your parents were living in South Korea. ¡±


    Mirage quietly listens. Still wearing that passive look on her face and making it hard to figure out what she¡¯s been thinking.


    ¡± And? ¡±


    ¡± They didn¡¯t know you¡¯re still alive. ¡±


    ¡± Oh. Is that so? ¡± she said, sounding indifferent.


    ¡± I¡¯m¡­ at fault. Really. I don¡¯t really like your mother so I¡¯ve done everything to get rid of her out of your father¡¯s life. She asked me for money, I asked for you in exchange and to never show her face to your father again. She agreed. She believes that you are dead when the truth is, I ordered someone to switch you from a dead baby. I don¡¯t want her to use you against me when the timees. But I lost you. The family that took care of you all these years moved out and despite all the money I have, I can¡¯t find you. And the money she asked for me that time was meant for the hospitalization of your father. I screwed everything up. ¡±


    ¡± Your mom left the Philippines and went home to South Korea. Your dad, after finding out all the horrible things that I¡¯ve done, left me again and followed your mom. They¡¯ve been living in peace since then so I dare not mess with them anymore. I can¡¯t bring myself to tell them about you, I want to find you first to lessen my guilt at least¡­ ¡±


    An awkward silence filled the room. Her face was unreadable. No trace of emotion. And then she let out a sigh.


    ¡± Okay. Okay, I understand. ¡±


    The three men were again dumbfounded.


    ¡± Don¡¯t look at me like that. I understand everything that Gramps has to say but as I do have amnesia, I don¡¯t have the slightest idea how to react about that. And even before I lost my memory, I don¡¯t really have memories of my real parents so what do you expect me to say? Do you expect me again to be kind of dramatic or something? ¡±


    Travis nodded with a slight hint of a smile.


    ¡® She¡¯s definitely the female version of Nicolo. She won¡¯t miss any chance to be sarcastic. ¡±


    He clears his throat before he speaks.


    ¡± Well, I¡¯m d you¡¯re taking all of this with great understanding. And any extreme emotion won¡¯t do you any good and may trigger pain in your head so having that way of thinking is a bit impressive of you. ¡±


    Don Augustus smiles but his eyes are remorseful.


    ¡± I think it¡¯s wrong to bring this matter to you when you don¡¯t remember anything, but we¡¯re not sure when you will regain your memory. I guess, I¡¯ll just face your anger when you¡¯re all recovered. ¡±


    ¡± Let¡¯s just wait until I remember everything. ¡±


    ¡± We¡¯ve started investigating since I¡¯ve found you and Euphy. It¡¯s just a matter of time until we could know more about you and your life before the ident. ¡±


    ¡± I guess you¡¯re more than capable of doing that since you¡¯re obviously well off. ¡±


    ¡± All the things that I have, it¡¯s technically yours too. We¡¯re family, you know. ¡±


    ¡± Right. ¡± is all that she could say. She¡¯s trying so hard to process all of this but she doesn¡¯t want to strain her brain so she wants to take a rest.


    ¡± Just take a rest and leave everything to us my dear. Let me make up for all the years that you¡¯re not with us because of my selfishness. ¡°

 Chapter 13 Home

    After a month-long stay at the hospital, Mirage was finally discharged. She had lost some pounds and had to take some extra supplements for her body, but she could breathe more freely now that she didn¡¯t have to wear those hospital gowns anymore.


    ¡± You were out of the hospital but technically, you¡¯re just going to be hospitalised at the house too. ¡±Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡± Yeah. And everyday will be much more annoying since I¡¯ll get to see your face first thing in the morning. ¡±


    ¡± My handsome face? Yes. ¡±


    ¡± Revolting. ¡±


    Travis smiled and shook his head. He¡¯s the one who gets tired whenever they start to bicker. He¡¯s far from being a doctor when he¡¯s with these two, he¡¯s more like a nanny for two spoiled brats!


    ¡± It¡¯s only been a month and you¡¯re already this close. I¡¯m a bit jealous. ¡± Travis joked.


    ¡± In your dreams! ¡± Mirage and Nicolo said at the same time. Euphemia giggles after hearing that as if she understands.


    The trio stopped and smiled andughed just like the baby. Nicolo picks her up beside Mirage and the baby dly hugs Nicolo¡¯s neck and buries her small face on his shoulder. What a scene. If an unknowing person saw them together, they¡¯ll probably mistake him as her dad.


    ¡± Hey sweetie, don¡¯t pick up your mom¡¯s poor taste, okay? She doesn¡¯t know what handsome looks like. But, you can¡¯t already have a boyfriend huh? I¡¯m not going to permit that. Never! ¡±


    Mirage rolls her eyes upon hearing that but then the corner of her lips lift up. Dr. Travis eyes smiles and then he chuckle.


    ¡± What a doting uncle! I¡¯m starting to pity your future admirers, baby Euphemia. ¡±


    ¡± Enough with all of your nonsense. I don¡¯t want to stay here any longer. I¡¯m bored as hell. ¡±


    Nicolo sneered and walked out of the room with the baby.


    ¡± Tss. Such a stubborn mom. ¡±


    ¡± I can hear you. ¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t care. ¡±


    ¡± Weirdo. ¡±


    Travis chuckled. After thest week or so, he has gotten used to their banter but it still really annoys him sometimes.


    Dr. Travis pushed the wheelchair so they could finally leave the hospital. They all board in the car where Adams is waiting. After an hour of driving, they reached the Esquibel¡¯s estate.


    Mirage wasn¡¯t a bit surprised when she saw how huge the mansion is. It probably has 30 rooms on the first floor and around 20 on the second floor, 20 out of 50 are bedrooms. Plus there¡¯s a huge pool on the right side and the entrance of the underground garage on the left. The nt and flowers on the front yard were abundant and the topiaries were well maintained. She heaves a sigh. A real luxury.


    ¡± I hope you won¡¯t get lost inside, my baby. ¡±


    Nicolo shook his head. He can¡¯t really understand how her brain works. She doesn¡¯t look a bit interested in everything that she sees. She doesn¡¯t seem to bother at all. And she always says the weirdest things out of the blue. Is it because of her injury?


    They got out of the car. Don Augustus was waiting for them at the huge front door,


    ¡± Wee home, Ms. Esquibel. ¡±


    ¡± Thank you for the trouble, Adams. ¡±


    ¡± No problem, ma¡¯am.¡±  Adams said as he hold the car door open for them.


    ¡± Wee home Mir, Euphy. ¡±


    ¡± Thanks, Grandpa. ¡±


    Mirage walks towards the old man and gives him a hug and a peck on his cheek. Don Augustus was stunned. Euphemia who¡¯s still on Nicolo¡¯s hand leaned forward and also gave a kiss. The great grandfather was in awe.


    ¡± How sweet of you, thank you! ¡±


    Don Augustus guided Mirage inside  where a very spacious and luxurious looking living room greeted them. On the center wall were paintings depicting differentndscapes and the furniture in the room was either modern or antique. There were ss covered shelves all over the room, mostly filled with various figurines, vases, porcins and artworks.


    The living room had a warm ambiance and it was decorated with soft colours and light fabrics. There were multiple bookshelves ced next to the firece, filled with many books.


    ¡® This ce is so big. ¡®


    Mirage looked around the room quietly. She scanned the walls decorated with photographs taken from all around the world. On the left side of the living room is the dining area which consists of a huge wooden table for 14 people. It was topped by beautiful flower arrangements. Next to the table sat chairs which were decorated beautifully and spoke of luxury. It felt more like a fancy restaurant than someone¡¯s dinner table.


    Mirage turned her gaze to the right side to find a big staircase leading to the next floor.


    ¡± I know that you¡¯re tired so I¡¯ll let you take a rest. Let¡¯s all eat together when you wake up. Your room has been prepared but you can change everything you find ufortable. ¡±


    ¡± Thank you so much. ¡±


    Nicolo led them to the stairs and into their room.


    ¡± This is your room. That door will lead you to the adjoining room, which is Euphy¡¯s room. ¡±


    Nicolo points out at the door beside a bookshelf at the corner of her room. On the other side of the bookshelf is an office table onlooking her room¡¯s balcony through a floor to ceiling ss. And if you move your eyes to the other corner of the room, you¡¯ll see a door for a smaller room. Yes, there¡¯s a room inside her room.


    ¡± Oh, that¡¯s your walk in closet. I don¡¯t know if they already bought you some clothes though. ¡±


    Nicolo said as he noticed her eyeing the other side of the room.


    Mirage walks towards the bedroom. She takes a deep breath upon entering. The interior of the room waspletely light grey except for the dark grey rug whichy on the floor. The whole room had a minimalist aesthetic yet somehow it lookedfortable and inviting. There¡¯s a small corridor that separates the walk-in closet from the bathroom. And beside her California King size bed is a vanity dresser. All in all, it felt like a room in a hotel.


    ¡± Nice, isn¡¯t it? ¡±


    Mirage just breathes out as she finds out that it is too troublesome to be multi rich. Dr. Travis is notably quiet because he¡¯s just too tired from his shift. After everything was settled he excuses himself.


    ¡± I¡¯ll be sleeping in my room beside Nicolo¡¯s room, but if you feel anything out of the ordinary, don¡¯t hesitate to call me. Understand?¡±


    ¡± Yes, doc. ¡± and then Dr. Travis left.


    ¡± My room is in front of Euphy¡¯s room so you could just knock if you need anything or shout if you feel like it. Nicolo said and he said goodbye.


    After everyone leaves, Mirage and her daughter who¡¯s beside her both sleep in peace. In their new room. In their new found home.

 Chapter 14 Conflicts

    Man, Philippines


    It¡¯s been a month already. But Elven¡¯s still can¡¯t ept the reality. His family is gone. Forever. He¡¯s alone now. And with that thought, tears pour down again. He thought there were already none. But it seems he still has a lot more tears to cry.


    He didn¡¯t know how much would be left for him until he cry his heart out. Maybe he should call someone but he doesn¡¯t want to bother them because he knows they are all busy with their lives. Besides, they wouldn¡¯t want to listen to him anyway. They wouldn¡¯t understand him. They won¡¯t feel anything rather than pity. It is far worse than what he¡¯s already feeling.


    He¡¯s in his daughter¡¯s bedroom. Lying on the floor. Hugging her favorite Bunny stuff toy as big as her. There¡¯s still a faint smell of her as she always hugs the bunny. And the surge of his daughter and wife¡¯s memories flows over him.


    Crying and thinking, but nothing seems to work. He tries to think of ways to make things better. There must be something he can do. It¡¯s not like he was able to bring them back. He fell asleep. He always falls asleep when he¡¯s tired from all the crying. He slept and dreamed of a life with them.


    6 O¡¯clock in the evening. Someone knocked on the door that woke him up. He didn¡¯t move. He doesn¡¯t want to. He just lies there and stares at the ceiling with a nk expression and empty mind.


    Then he heard the unlocking sound of the door and the light spread over the room. He was blinded so he covered his eyes using his arm.


    ¡± Elven, you should eat. Come, I will prepare Belle¡¯s favorite food. ¡±


    It was Sylvia Vernon. His mother-inw.


    ¡± I¡¯ll wait for you downstairs okay? ¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    He just nodded. For the past weeks, Belle¡¯s mother took care of him. She always forced him to eat so he wouldn¡¯t get sick. She¡¯s also heartbroken as she lost  her daughter and granddaughter but she stays strong. She didn¡¯t think of him as a nobody now that his wife is gone. She still looks and treats him like her own son. She¡¯s not going to leave him behind too. She¡¯s going to take care of him and help him cope with this situation.


    As if reading his thoughts, she said ¡± I¡¯m here and I will never leave your side. I am your Mom and you are my son, nothing¡¯s gonna change that. ¡±


    With those words, Elven started to sob once more. Sylvia quietly close the door and leave him be.


    ¡± Where¡¯s Elven? ¡±


    Sylvia sighs and sadly looks at Angelique.


    ¡± Upstairs. Still crying. ¡±


    They both sigh. They know how he loves them so much. He always went home straight after work. He loves spending his spare time ying with his daughter. He always helps Belle in her business and in her household chores. They can¡¯t just say anything bad about him. He¡¯s a very humble and sincere person.


    A knock on the door startled them. They don¡¯t expect anyone.


    ¡± I¡¯ll see who it is. ¡±


    Angelique opens the door and a woman with a huge bag just barges in making Angelique take a step back.


    ¡± This looks nice. We can stay here, Mom. ¡±


    Eliana looks at her mother who¡¯s still standing outside the door. Angelique¡¯s face darkened but didn¡¯t say anything. She just opens the door wider for Leona toe in.


    ¡± What are you doing here? ¡±


    Angelique shot Eliana a cold gaze as thetter sat down without being asked. She even dares to crossed her arms and legs and looks at Angelique with a straight face. She doesn¡¯t look intimidated by her at all.


    ¡± We need to stay here for a while, ¡± Leona exined calmly.


    ¡± You know, this would be our home now. ¡±


    Leona then turns towards Eliana and smiled.


    ¡± We¡¯ll stay here with Elven from now on. He now lives here alone so we¡¯ll just give himpany. Well, that doesn¡¯t have anything to do with you anyway. ¡±


    ¡± Seriously? Huh. Where did you get that ridiculous idea? ¡±


    ¡± Why not? Your sister is dead so all of their property including this house will now belong to my brother. ¡±


    Eliana said mockingly. Not hiding her displeasure with Belle and how she likes to take all of her property.


    Leona ignored Angelique¡¯s remark and continue exining why they had to stay in the house.


    ¡± Don¡¯t you get worried. He loves us, so he will always be happy to share his space with us. ¡±


    Angelique just rolled her eyes.


    ¡± Wow. Just wow. After everything your family has done to my sister, you have the guts to say that? ¡±


    ¡± Angelique, calm down. ¡± Sylvia, whose patience was endless, tells her younger daughter to stop. She¡¯s worried that this will upset Elven even more when he hears their argument.


    ¡± I believe we don¡¯t do anything to your sister. We treat her kindly and well. ¡±


    Leona who¡¯s trying very hard not to look mad said with a bitter smile.


    ¡± Kindly? Well? How so? By ordering her around when they visited you? Is that how kind you are to my sister? You make her life miserable! ¡±


    ¡± What¡¯s so wrong with that? It¡¯s just some simple stuff. ¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re just trying not to look stupid or you¡¯re just simply in stupid . ¡±


    ¡± Hey, watch your mouth! ¡±


    ¡± You, watch your mouth. ¡±


    Angelique says with a menacing re.


    ¡± I¡¯ll just assume that you¡¯re not in your right mind, that¡¯s why you decided to demand something from anyone here. You see, this is not your territory, this is not the right ce for you. That¡¯s why you don¡¯t have any right to live here, so get the fvcking out of here! ¡±


    ¡± NOW! ¡±


    Sylvia shook¡¯s her head while her hand touches her forehead. Her daughter¡¯s hatred finally explodes. It¡¯s like watching a firecracker exploding. Everything is on mes and you have no way to escape it. You can only stand on your ground and watch it destroy youpletely.


    That¡¯s how much Angelique hated Elven¡¯s family.


    Because they make her sister¡¯s life difficult and hard. Because they treated her like dirt. Because they made her feel weak. Because they are selfish people with no empathy. Because they don¡¯t care about anyone other than themselves.


    She really wanted to hit those women in front of her a long time ago. But she can¡¯t. Even though she wants to beat them to death, she knows that that isn¡¯t allowed. It wouldn¡¯t do any good to her sister, Belle. She has to protect her. No matter how angry she is with them, she knows it¡¯s better to keep that anger inside. So she keeps it to herself until the day she¡¯ll explode. And that¡¯s now.


    Her sister was gone. She really needs to let it all out.

 Chapter 15 Inheritance

    Eliana snaps out. She stands up and faces Angelique¡¯s fiery eyes.


    ¡± Who do you think you are? You¡¯re just her sister. You can¡¯t tell us to get lost because this house is not even yours. You didn¡¯t live here either! So you better stay out of it and go home! ¡±


    Angelique managed a fakeugh. This woman is really something. How thick-skinned is she really?


    ¡± You know what? I regret letting my sister marry into your family. You disgust me on many levels! Maybe Elven¡¯s not really your brother, he¡¯s so different from all of you! ¡±


    ¡± Well, your DEAD sister isn¡¯t that great. She¡¯s not that pretty like the ones who pursue my brother. They give us gifts unlike your sister who doesn¡¯t bring anything when she visits us. She¡¯s making a big deal because we asked her to do ourundry and clean our house? That¡¯s nothingpared to the girl we like Elven to marry can do for us. And that didn¡¯t happen because of that good for nothing b*tch sister of yours. If only she didn¡¯t seduce Elven, then we would already be living a good life! ¡±


    ¡± Nonsense! You disgusting leeches! Don¡¯t you know anything other than to mooch off at Elven? And don¡¯t you darepare my sister to some lowlife whore like you and your friends. Why would my sister give you anything when Elven¡¯s whole sry was already given to you and your family? Yes. Your brother doesn¡¯t work his *ss off for his own family. His hard earned money was meant for his pathetic family who knows nothing but begged and asked for money! ¡±


    Leona was shocked to hear this. Eliana was rendered speechless.


    ¡± Are you surprised? Huh. News sh! Elven doesn¡¯t feed my sister and her daughter. He didn¡¯t even spend a single cent to build this house. Well, there¡¯s nothing really new about this. You remember their wedding? You, your entire family, don¡¯t even spend any or contribute any but you have the audacity to invite people like you. How shameless! My sister, alone, pays for all of it. From her own pocket. Her hard earned money was gone to the drain because of your family! ¡±


    Eliana was racking her head so she could fire something back. She won¡¯t back down even if she was already belittled and humiliated. The hell she cares. She needs to get this house and the boutique beside this house. She will take all of it using her brother.


    ¡± Say what you want. That¡¯s all in the past. They were already married. So legally speaking, this house already belongs to Elven because his wife is dead. All of it will be owned by my brother! ¡±


    ¡± Eliana¡¯s right. Belle is no longer here, even her daughter, so Elven will be the sole beneficiary. You can¡¯t say no. We shall obey thew. There¡¯s no one above thew. ¡±


    Leona backed up her eldest daughter. They were desperate. They need this house so they won¡¯t have to pay rent anymore. And Belle¡¯s boutique. Her business she started alone, they will surely acquire that so they¡¯ll have more money aside from Elven¡¯s sry.


    Sylvia on the other hand was just quietly listening. She knows everything that her daughter has gone through. But she understands her and she respects her decision.


    Belle said that Elven is all they ever need. They don¡¯t need his money because she can earn it. All they want from him is his love and affection and his time for his own family. That¡¯s all she wants, aplete and happy family. Something she didn¡¯t ever have.


    Belle is like her mother, understanding and has lots of patience. She may be naive to some but she doesn¡¯t mind, as long as she doesn¡¯t hurt anyone, she¡¯ll continue to do what makes her happy and what she thinks is right.


    But Sylvia knows that Angelique can¡¯t be stopped. She was far different from her older sister. She always stood up for Belle. And even if she was always mad at how naive her sister was, she definitely loves her so much.


    ¡± No one is above thew, you say? ¡±


    Angelique smiles deviously.


    ¡± I can¡¯t argue with that. I¡¯m a teacher you know, I dare not break anyw and be a good model to my students. ¡±


    She casually strolls towards Belle¡¯s mini office and when she goes back to the living room she throws a brown envelope on top of the ss center table in front of Leona.


    ¡± What¡¯s this? ¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡± See for yourself. ¡±


    Leona slowly picks up the envelope and opens it. She looks at her daughter first before she pulls out the paper inside. And her eyes almost bulged when she read the content. Her hands were visibly shaking.


    ¡± What does it say? ¡±


    Eliana snatched the papers from her stupefied mother and read the paper with a frown. And her frown turns to anger. She¡¯s enraged.


    ¡± What¡¯s the meaning of this? What the hell is this? ¡±


    Angelique smiles mockingly.


    ¡± Why? Can¡¯t you understand what it says? ¡±


    ¡± Stop the rubbish! Why is this house not in my brother¡¯s name? Why is that stupid b*tch¡¯s mother name stated here? What¡¯s fvcking going on? ¡±


    Eliana is hysterical. She can¡¯t ept the fact that they can¡¯t live in this house. Her mom was still in a daze. She can¡¯t believe that they weren¡¯t getting anything. At all.


    Sylvia heaved a sigh and shook her head. Angelique was just watching their antics with a stern look. She always wanted to teach them a lesson. And now they learned it the hard way. So much for greedy people.


    ¡± Where¡¯s Elven? I need to talk to him right now! ¡±


    ¡± You just remember to look for your brother now? Looks like he isn¡¯t really the reason you¡¯re here. I nearly thought you were worried about him but I guess I¡¯m wrong. ¡±


    ¡± Shut up, will you? I need to know what¡¯s going on! I can¡¯t ept this. This is wrong! This is so wrong! ¡±


    ¡± You being here is the only thing that is wrong! ¡±


    ¡± I said shut up! This is my house! My brother is supposed to inherit this! You must have done something about this trash, you must have fake this. Huh. That¡¯s right! That must be it! This is fake! ¡±


    And she tore the papers and threw them around. Angelique shook her head.


    ¡± You¡¯re delusional. ¡±


    ¡± You can¡¯t fool me! Why would Elven choose to let your mother get this house instead of us? Huh? Why would he do that? He¡¯s not stupid! Why would he give this house to his mother-inw? ¡±


    ¡± Because that¡¯s my wife¡¯s decision.¡±

 Chapter 16 Cutting Ties

    Elven¡¯s voice was heard from the stairs and his words were like lightning that struck both Leona and Eliana. They looked as if they were petrified.


    They couldn¡¯t speak nor move a muscle. It felt like their whole body had gone numb and all that could be heard was their loud breathing and heavy heartbeats. Their faces were pale as if they saw a ghost. His face was stern and there were dark rings under his eyes. His eyes are still red and swollen.


    ¡± What the hell are you thinking? Have you hit your stupid head again? ¡±


    Eliana was the first to recover from shock. She was shaking with rage and disbelief at her brother¡¯s actions. Her voice was full of anger but when she looked into his eyes she could only see sadness and hurt.


    ¡± Are you really that stupid? Does everyone need to tell you again and again before you can understand? No one in your family can live here and that¡¯s final! ¡±


    Angelique can¡¯t really stop herself even when Elven¡¯s already present. Her patience has dried up a long time ago and she can¡¯t tolerate their trashy manners anymore. If it weren¡¯t for Belle¡¯s sake when she¡¯s still here, she may be done putting them in their rightful ce already.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Elven closed his eyes for a few seconds then spoke.


    ¡± All the things that Angelique told you were true. I don¡¯t have the right to take this house because I don¡¯t spend anything here. Not a single cent. My wife built this all by herself, I was only there to support her. The money that I earned all goes to you. ¡±


    ¡± Because you all can¡¯t make a living. You can¡¯t get a job. Even if you get one, you can¡¯t stay for as long as 2 months. Riza, our 2nd eldest sister, has a stable job as a professor, but what did she do? She gets into a rtionship with her colleague who already has a family. Eliza, my 3rd eldest sister, got pregnant with a man who had a lot more women who he impregnated in the past. Derick, who¡¯s younger than me, lives like a prince in your house doing nothing! And the youngest, Rico, already has 4 children. And his wife is addicted to gambling instead of taking care of their baby who¡¯s younger than my daughter! ¡±


    Leona was shocked and scared at the same time. She never expected to hear such horrible wordse out of Elven¡¯s mouth but what surprised her was that Elven didn¡¯t show any signs of fear or regret. He sounded calm despite everything that was happening around him. It gave Leona a frightening feeling. But the look on Elven¡¯s face made her feel uneasy even more.


    Elven kept talking without stopping.


    ¡± That¡¯s how irresponsible you are. That¡¯s how pathetic your lives are. And you me my wife for taking me away from you? ¡±


    Elven let out a bitterugh. His voice is full of disappointment, disgust and remorse. He is hurt all over.


    ¡± She saves me from you. I was on the verge of falling into the pit of emptiness, of loneliness and sadness but she came and took me away from my so-called family before I lost myself. I worked to support all of you but you can¡¯t be satisfied. You always wanted more of me. You never think of me. You just needed me for my money. And I never really feel that I am a family to you. Not even once. ¡±


    With thosest few words his voice cracked and tears formed in his eyes. He wipes them off.


    ¡± When I met my wife, she knew everything that I¡¯ve been going through and she still epted me. When I asked her for marriage, even though we don¡¯t have money, she still agreed. Yes. She spent all her money for our wedding. And she still smiles at me and shows how happy she was. But you? You have the nerve to say on my face that our wedding is so simple. Ordinary. And not to your liking! ¡±


    Elven smiles bitterly. Leona vows her head, she can¡¯t look straight on Elven¡¯s piercing eyes. Eliana red her eyes elsewhere. Elven¡¯s words were like daggers shot to them.


    ¡± From the little money I gave my wife, ah no, she told me it was borrowed money so she gave it back to me after. From that little money, she started her business. And make it grow to where it is now. She is able to build our house too, without asking for any more money from me. She asked me to give all of what I earned to you because she understands your situation and she told me that whatever happens, you¡¯re still my family. And what have you done in return? You treat her like a maid whenever she visits you. And what now? You want to take her house? All of the things that belong to her? Don¡¯t you really have a little bit of shame? ¡±


    It seems like every word that fell off Elven¡¯s tongue was like poison. There was an invisible weight on each word that made them fall harder onto them. They could not take his words and they could not take the pain and betrayaling from him either.


    There was no reply from anyone. No one dared to open their mouth. Eliana doesn¡¯t answer and keeps ring somewhere. The silence is making Leona¡¯s skin crawl. The silence is suffocating. She didn¡¯t know what else to say. She feelspletely helpless.


    Elven looks at her straight into her eyes. His stare is so strong, it makes her shiver.


    Leona stands up.


    ¡± Eliana, let¡¯s go. ¡±


    ¡± But we still don¡¯t have money to pay for our rent! ¡±


    ¡± I said let¡¯s go! ¡±


    Elven throws a white envelope on the table.


    ¡± This will be thest time you¡¯ll get something from me. ¡±


    After saying that, he went upstairs and locked himself in the room where he has the most memories of his wife, Belle.


    Leona stands up and leaves the house without looking back. Eliana grabs the envelope and stomps her feet as she walks out the door.


    Angelique and Sylvia let out a sigh. The house is finally quiet and at peace.


    ¡± Elven lost his family again. ¡±


    ¡± Well, this time, it¡¯s good for him. ¡±


    ¡± It is¡­ But I¡¯m worried about Elven. ¡±


    ¡± Yeah¡­ I wonder how he¡¯s holding up with his wife and daughter¡¯s loss? ¡±


    Sylvia pats Angelique¡¯s shoulder, giving her a warm smile.


    ¡± Just leave him alone for now. He needs space and time. We¡¯ll help him no matter what. ¡°

 Chapter 17 Reminiscing and Moving On

    Elven leans on the door and slowly slides down until he¡¯s slumped on the floor. He roamed his eyes all over the room. In every corner of it, he can clearly see Belle. This room was filled with nothing but her beautiful memories. His heart started to get heavy again. And tears started to well up one more time. He tried so hard to stop it from falling but he just couldn¡¯t. How could he? When she¡¯s everything that means to him?


    Her smiles, her love, herughter¡­


    They¡¯re all so real and they¡¯re still here with him.


    He let himself fall on the ground next to their bed. Elven¡¯s face contorted in pain. A tear fell down on his cheek, then another. His voice was trembling.


    ¡°Why do you have to leave me? ¡±


    That word made Elven break into a new round of crying. He buried his head between his knees and tried to suppress his cries, his body shaking uncontrobly. He didn¡¯t know how long he spent there but when he finally calmed down a bit, his mind drifted back to Belle. The thought of never seeing her smile again brought fresh tears to his eyes. It hurts so much. All these emotions are just too much for him, he can¡¯t handle them any longer. His whole body shook as he sobbed, his fists clutching the sheets on the bed.


    Why does it need to happen? Why did things have to end like this?


    It¡¯s really true that he was taken for granted by his own family. They see him only as a fvcking ATM. He¡¯s been living his life in an utterly boring and dreadful cycle. He¡¯s just living everyday in the sense of just living.


    No other reasons. No other meaning. Just breathing.


    Until he met Belle.


    They bumped into each other and since then, he often sees her every morning on the way to work. Somehow, she became the reason he began to like going to work. She became something or rather someone he looks forward to seeing every single day. And whenever she sees him, she would give him an awkward but sincere smile and that makes him get through the day.


    But one day, he stopped seeing her.


    He doesn¡¯t know how it happened, maybe because of work or maybe it was some kind of misunderstanding, who knows. All he knew was that one day, she wasn¡¯t there anymore. He looked everywhere for her, but he didn¡¯t even know who to ask about her.


    Days turned to weeks then months. He feels unbelievably sad. He thinks that he should have asked for her name at least. His days became ck and gray again. Everything is dull and lifeless.


    Then after 6 months, he sees her again. As they walk towards each other, his heart beats faster and louder and crazier. When the gap between them gets shorter and he is able to reach her, he could see her flushed cheeks and her eyes wandering around but him.


    He gathered all his courage to stop and say hi without stuttering.


    ¡± Hi! We met again. How are you? ¡±


    She was obviously surprised as her eyes got wider as she looked at him straight on his face. Her face then shows that she just couldn¡¯t believe he was actually asking her.


    ¡± He-hello! I-i¡¯m fine. ¡±


    She stuttered. Startled and embarrassed. She even pinched herself and winced as she felt the pain. Elven finds her a little amusing that he can¡¯t help but chuckle.


    ¡± Hi! I mean, I¡¯m doing great! How are you? ¡±


    His heart felt warm at her words. He always thought she was nice. And as long as she was happy and smiling at him, he¡¯d be okay.


    ¡± I¡¯m doing good too.¡±


    He smiled widely, trying to hide his inner turmoil. Because he¡¯s not really okay when he¡¯s not seeing her.


    ¡± What are you up to today? I haven¡¯t seen youtely. Have you found a new job? ¡±


    He asked so many questions that she let out augh that sounded like music in his ears. He embarrassingly scratches his head. He remembered that he didn¡¯t even introduce himself.


    ¡± My name is Elven. Elven Sanford. ¡±


    And he stretched his hand in front of her.


    ¡± Arabelle. Arabelle Vernon. ¡±


    And she dly took his hand.


    He asked her for a cup of coffee and she agreed. He then found out the reason she¡¯s gone for 6 months. She was transferred to another branch to train some newbies. She was a coordinator of a clothing brand and he was a manager of a hardware store. They exchanged numbers and talked about work until it¡¯s time for them to go and fulfil their respective jobs.


    They separate ways with sparkling eyes and unfazed smiles. It doesn¡¯t take an expert to see that they already have special feelings for each other.


    Another 6 months have passed and finally they are officially in a rtionship.


    Elven is ted that his love was reciprocated. They decided to start their rtionship properly. They went on dates, held hands, cuddled and kissed each other whenever they had the opportunity. They were happy together. They both liked it. They were ready to start a family together and live a wonderful life.


    They never got into a serious fight and they only had a few small arguments throughout their rtionship. Wondering about those few small arguments? They were mainly because of Elven¡¯s family. They always look down at Belle and belittle her as she¡¯s not from a rich family. Though they were also never rich in the first ce.


    And this puts Elven discouraged every now and then. He was ashamed and embarrassed that he wanted a break up to give her a peace of mind.


    Who wouldn¡¯t be?N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    Every time he heard about it, he couldn¡¯t help but feel guilty. One particr day was particrly bad because his family were telling him that he shouldn¡¯t marry her. They were very blunt about theirments while they ate dinner together. Their tone of voice was harsh and he couldn¡¯t understand what was happening.


    When he asked them to exin, they said they think that Belle isn¡¯t worthy of his attention. They were convinced that he deserves someone better. That she will end up hurting him and that she won¡¯t make him happy.


    This angered him greatly.


    But Belle is always forgiving. She doesn¡¯t mind or she just pretends that she doesn¡¯t mind so Elven doesn¡¯t feel guilty at all. She reasons out that she will not be married to his family but to him alone and that somehow convinced him that everything is going to be alright.


    But his family just proves him wrong.


    He shakes his head to put out those memories of his family¡¯s ill treatment towards his wife. He tried to be understanding and give them the things they needed in the hope that they would change. But they¡¯re far from it. They¡¯re hopeless.


    And so he decides to cut them off from his life. He¡¯s better off without them. He needs some time for himself. Alone.


    He started to pack his things. Carefully picking up the things he needs and leaving those with memories of Belle and their daughter.


    He¡¯s gonna leave this house and live somewhere else. Away from all those happy memories that make living everyday unbearably painful. He only misses them each and every day and it just makes it harder for him to breathe. There¡¯s no other way. He has to find some way to be free from this pain.


    The moment he¡¯s done packing his bags, he lets his eyes wander around the room one more time. As another teardrop escapes his eye, he tightly grips his bag and suitcase.


    He promised himself that he was going to go back to this house and liven out those precious memories once again when he finally forced himself to move on.

 Chapter 18 Investigation

    Montana, USA


    Inside the office of Don Augustus at Esquibel estate, he was meeting with detective Ivan Wright, a private investigator who worked for the Don.


    It was time to inform him about their newest lead and investigation.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some information and I think this is it.¡±


    The man said in his usual professional manner. His voice held an edge of professionalism but also had an air of excitement. He was so excited, it almost didn¡¯t seem real as he spoke. The two men sat facing each other on the couch.


    Don Augustus looked up from hisputer screen.


    ¡°Please tell me what you have,¡± he requested.


    In response, Detective Ivan opened his backpack thaty next to him and took out a file. Heid it on the coffee table between them. It appeared as if the document wasn¡¯t even in order. But it doesn¡¯t matter.


    ¡± We¡¯ve finally found the family of thete Alejandro Vernon. We got our hand to one of his siblings that was processing the title of theirnd. He said that his family went back to the province after Alejandro died. We¡¯ve been looking at Alejandro¡¯s province but we couldn¡¯t find them. We tried to look at his wife¡¯s province, but they weren¡¯t there either. It was his daughter-inw¡¯s province all along. ¡±


    ¡± His daughter-inw¡¯s name has many simr names that it takes forever to point out that she¡¯s the one we¡¯ve been looking for. We¡¯ve been out there for years and finally we found her province. And we are hundred percent sure that it was really her this time. ¡±


    The detective exhaled dramatically as this assignment was 25 years old already. Alejandro Vernon died 10months after he switched the babies. And one week after his internment, his family left without anyone around them knowing where they¡¯re going. They traced their respective names but having little information about them, it took so long for them to find out where they were.


    It was really next to impossible as they havemon names, they¡¯ve got a lot of people with the same names. They found hundreds of thousands of simrities to everyone, and they were led to different ces and they almost flipped every stone in the whole country just to find clues.


    The money wasn¡¯t a question as Don Augustus is so willing to pay. It¡¯s just that the system isn¡¯t much help and some people really don¡¯t have the luxury to even register their names or let alone write their names correctly. That¡¯s poverty for you.


    ¡± So what did you find out about my granddaughter¡¯s past and her foster family? ¡±


    Don Augustus was overwhelmed. Everything was going well. It seems the puzzle pieces were falling into their rightful ces.


    ¡± Her foster father died from heart failure when she was 5 years old. She has a sibling who was 1 year old at that time. They¡¯re mother has a small store that provides for them and she works part time as a store crew at a convenience store at night. Her children were left in their grandmother¡¯s care when she¡¯s working.¡±


    The old man closed his eyes. A sigh escaped his lips. The detective wanted to say something, but he knew better than to interrupt the Don¡¯s train of thought.


    After a few seconds, Don Augustus tells him to continue speaking.


    ¡± Ms. Esquibel graduated from Senior High and hasn¡¯t got a chance to pursue college because of financial problems. She works a lot of part time to help their mother and her younger sister¡¯s studies. She¡¯s now a professional teacher. While Ms. Esquibel owns a small boutique which she started when she resigned from working as a coordinator in a small clothingpany. She resigned when she got married and got pregnant. ¡±


    The old man stood up from the couch, walked towards the window and looked outside. A wave of sadness swept through Don Augustus. He can¡¯t imagine the hardships that his granddaughter has gone through. If only he could turn back time. He won¡¯t let her suffer like that.


    He then turned around towards Detective Wright.


    ¡± How about her husband? ¡±


    ¡® He must be suffering right now losing his family like this.. ¡® the Don thought to himself.


    This caused Don Augustus to take another deep breath. His hands were tightly clenched as he stared at the detective. There was an awkward silence between them for a moment. Finally, the detective broke it.


    ¡± We are still looking for more information about him, sir. ¡±


    There was no emotion detected in his voice and the tone of his voice was neutral as always. Even though thest sentence was not true.


    Don Augustus nodded his head slowly. He knew better than to ask more questions. He knew this would take longer than expected.


    ¡± Alright. Please tell me as soon as possible when you get his information. Thank you Detective. ¡±


    Ivan Wright got up from the couch and walked toward the old man and shook the Don¡¯s hand with a contemptuous smile. He can¡¯t disclose Elven Sanford¡¯s information right now.


    ¡± I¡¯ll get going sir. ¡±


    Don Augustus just nodded and stared outside the window behind his office table as the detective made his way out of the room.


    Detective Wright excused himself and closed the door behind him.


    The detective heads out to the staircase a couple of rooms from the Don¡¯s office. There he met Nicolo who was leaning on the railings beside the stairs with his arms crossed at his chest while looking at the door the detectivees out from.


    Nicolo was one of the few people who knew everything about everything.


    The detective has known him for years and although the detective¡¯s job is to investigate Mirage and report to Don Augustus, Nicolo knows about these investigations better than the Don himself.


    ¡± What is it?¡± Nicolo asked. His voice sounded indifferent.


    ¡± Here¡¯s the information about Mr. Elven Sanford, sir Nick. ¡±


    The detective said as he gave a folder to Nicolo Esquibel. Ivan smiled slightly.N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡± This came in this morning. I¡¯m supposed to deliver it to your grandfather.¡±


    Nicolo grabbed the folder from his hands and read its content, his expression changed as he read it.

 Chapter 19 Blessing in Disguise

    Ever since Nicolo gained enough money and power, he immediately hired a private investigator to find Mirage.


    Yes.


    His 10 year old self doesn¡¯t forget that incident he and Travis saw with their own eyes. He swears to his young and powerless self that he will find his cousin no matter what and he will prove everyone whoughs at them wrong.


    He held onto that promise for 25 years and who would have thought that he, himself would find her?


    He knew that Ivan Wright was working with his grandfather. But as soon as he became the CEO of theirpany, detective Wright¡¯s loyalty fell on his hands. He owes him big time. He owes Nicolo his family¡¯s dear life.


    Detective Ivan Wright¡¯s wife and his 2 sons were driving home from school when they met with a traffic ident. At that time, Nicolo was heading back to the office after a meeting with all of theirpanies¡¯ presidents.


    His wife¡¯s condition is critical as the collision with another car hit the driver seat. The driver of the other car was dead on the spot.


    He was drunk.


    As the onlookers already called 911, the ambnce seemed as if it came from the Mars as they arrived sote.


    Nicolo, already caught in the traffic, got out of his car and examined the victims as the ambnce took forever to arrive.


    He asked someone for help and took the driver and her two sons out of the car with absolute care. He knows how to handle the situation as he studied medicine like Travis before Don Augustus forced him to shift his course.


    He asked everyone around for things he could use for first aid. He tried to keep his head clear enough so he could treat these people properly. When the ambnce finally arrived to take away the deceased  and the injured, they thanked him for everything he had done.


    The hospital was packed. There were multiple casualties from a fire that broke out. And that¡¯s the reason why the ambnce took too long to arrive.


    The nurse gave him some information about the injured patient and told him that they already called their family. She asked him to call her in case there are any emergencies. He thanked her with a polite smile.


    Detective Ivan Wright came running and asked anyone where his wife and sons were. He  was trying to look around but found his sons in the sea of doctors and nurses.


    He still didn¡¯t know what exactly happened. He went to them anyway as he was so worried. As soon as his body touched his two sons,  he felt relief and tears falling down on his face.


    ¡°Dad!¡± His younger son cried out.


    ¡°I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here.¡± Detective Wright said while hugging his son tightly.


    ¡°Where¡¯s mom?¡± His eldest son asked.


    ¡°She¡¯s fine, she¡¯s fine. She¡¯s just unconscious right now.¡± Detective Wright replied. Though the truth is he really doesn¡¯t know what condition his wife is in.


    Nicolo walks towards them.


    The detective¡¯s eyes were visibly shocked as he saw the grandson and the CEO of thepany his client Don Augustus owned.


    ¡°Mr. Wright.¡±  Nicolo greeted and nodded slightly.


    His eyes looked at the children again and smiled as they were fine.


    ¡°Mr. Esquibel. Howe you¡¯re here?¡±


    ¡± He saved us, Dad. ¡±


    His two sons said in chorus.


    The detective quickly took and shook his hand upon knowing what happened. He bows and thanks Nicolo endlessly. Then the doctor came and let them know about the good news. That his wife is stable. They also said that they need to take him to see his wife now because there are injuries she received that he needs to know. So they all followed the doctor to the private room Nicolo asked for the detective¡¯s wife and his two sons.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk moreter, Mr. Wright. Right now, your family needs you¡± Nicolo said as he gestured his head toward where the patients are. The detective nodded silently and followed the doctor inside.


    Nicolo watched the door close before turning around and walking out of the hospital. Nicolo made his way to his car. He started the engine and drove out of the hospital. He stopped the car near a cafe and decided to order some hot coffee to relieve his nerves before going home.


    A few days have passed and Detective Wright pays him a visit at his office. The detective is a good person and seems like an understanding father figure. The kids love him and he loves those little rascals. His wife had already  recovered from the ident and his sons were doing alright. She also asked him to make sure he thanked Nicolo for her and her sons.


    Nicolo said that anyone could do what he had done. And he would do just the same for anyone who needs help.


    ¡± If there¡¯s anything I could do for you, just tell me and I will definitely and dly help you out. ¡°Detective Wright told him with a thankful smile. The doctor said that if it wasn¡¯t for the first aid that Nicolo had, his wife just couldn¡¯t make it.


    Nicolo thought and hesitated for a second but then he blurted it out.


    ¡± I¡¯m looking for someone. ¡±


    ¡± What¡¯s the name? ¡±


    ¡± Mirage. She¡¯s my cousin. ¡±


    Detective Wright¡¯s lips turned into a straight line. He sighed.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡± I¡¯m already looking for her. ¡±


    Nicolo¡¯s eyes squinted but he didn¡¯t say a word.


    ¡± Don Augustus was looking for her for almost two decades already. ¡±


    Detective Wright confessed.


    ¡± Will you be alright telling me this, detective? ¡±


    Detective Wright smiles.


    ¡± Yes. I¡¯m breaking the confidentiality with your grandpa but I owe you big time. And besides, I think your gramps just really wants to find her to finally make everything right so I don¡¯t see anything wrong with telling you this bit of information. ¡±


    ¡± Okay. Please tell me everything or anything you find out about her without telling my old man. ¡±


    ¡± You can rest assured, Sir Nick. ¡±


    And now.


    Nicolo asked the detective to find out about Mirage¡¯s husband. He asked him to investigate the tragic ident that causes a ship to sink and find out if there¡¯s a mistake from the records.


    And Nicolo¡¯s doubt was proven true. They found out Euphemia¡¯s name on the record. Along with Elven and Arabelle Sanford.

 Chapter 20 The Photograph

    After Nicolo saved Mirage and Euphemia that day on the shore, he and Don Augustus had been flipping through their phone to make the investigation faster by all means. Calling each and every one who¡¯s involved and everyone who could possibly help.


    It was a lot of work, but it paid off as they began to get results. They finally found her husband¡¯s contact information at the local police station which led them to his home address and working ce as well.


    Nicolo found out that he was a store manager of a huge and known hardware store at a very well known mall in the Philippines. He¡¯s only been there for two years since he graduated from university, however he did have quite impressive work that let him gain lots of achievements and that makes him the manager.


    ¡± This guy¡¯s a hard worker. ¡± Nicolo muttered while reading the report.


    ¡± I think so, too. ¡± Detective Wright said nodding slowly.


    Upon knowing about that, Nicolo started to make his move. He flipped his phone and make a call. He ordered the purchase of the said mall and even the hardware store that Elven¡¯s have been working on.


    He also found out that through the report that Elven filed an indefinite leave of absence regarding the passing of his wife and daughter. He leaves their house to his mother-inw¡¯s care and starts to live on his own. Trying to forget the tragedy that took away his family¡¯s lives and hoping he could finally start to move on.


    Elven secretly purchased a house from the money he saves up. He didn¡¯t really give his whole sry to his mother, instead he saved a part of it for his daughter¡¯s future and to be able to buy a house to surprise his wife. But they¡¯re gone. He couldn¡¯t do much else than to keep himself going. Living in their house gave him a hard time that almost drove him crazy.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    And that¡¯s why Nicolo needs to step up. He will soon meet Elven to tell him that his wife and daughter were alive. That he doesn¡¯t need to live miserable anymore. He¡¯s nning to go back to the Philippines and take Elven with him here, where his family is. He doesn¡¯t know what his grandfather is going to do when he finds out about Elven that¡¯s why he asked the detective to tell him everything first.


    Nicolo closed the folder after he scanned through the report. Not realizing that something slipped from it.


    Elven doesn¡¯te from a rich family. And Mirage having amnesia might give the Don an opportunity to separate the two. Knowing the things the Don have done in the past, Nicolo won¡¯t take his chance and he can¡¯t definitely ignore that possibility. He will do everything to protect Mirage and her family this time.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    A voice interrupted his thoughts, making the man startled at the sudden question out of nowhere.


    The voice belonged to Mirage, who is now standing at the top of the stairs looking down at the folded folder on his hand that the detective had handed him. Nicolo looked up to meet her gaze. But before he could answer, Mirage bowed down and picked up a photo that slipped from the folder.


    It was Elven¡¯s photo, her forgotten husband.


    She held it close to her face and look through it like she had seen someone she knew.


    She looked at the man in the picture while Nicolo¡¯s eyes were widened in shock. He can¡¯t move and he doesn¡¯t exactly know what to do after she caught him off guard. Her forehead began to crease as she looked intensely at the photo in her hand. After a few seconds of silence between them, she looked up from the photo to find the detective and Nicolo staring at her nervously.


    Her eyesnded again on the picture, then they moved up to look at Nicolo¡¯s face. Her brows were furrowed and her lips were pressed into thin line.


    She looked as if she wanted to speak, but she stayed quiet.


    Nicolo can see the pain written all over her eyes but not enough to show that on her face. There were still some emotions that showed though it didn¡¯t look like Mirage wanted anyone to know of those feelings so she tried to hide it. She sighed loudly.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    She said then returned the photo and continued walking towards the stair leaving Nicolo behind.


    ¡°Did she just walk away?!¡± Nicolo eximed and handed the photo and folder back to the stunned detective.


    Nicolo snapped out of his state of shock and immediately stood up straight following Mirage behind.


    Thest thing he needed right now was someone to ask questions about where this woman went because he had no idea. It would make him look guilty and he didn¡¯t want that at all.


    Nicolo grabbed her arm gently, turning her around. He put his hands on her upper arms as she stared into his eyes. He sighed and made up his mind. He¡¯s going to tell her the truth. He¡¯s going to tell her that it was her husband.


    ¡°Mirage- ¡±


    He doesn¡¯t have the chance to finish his words as he was surprised when he saw her face.


    She¡¯s crying. Tears fall one after another.


    Mirage suddenly pushed his hands softly off of her.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on either so stop looking at me like that. ¡±


    She said with a bitter smile.


    Nicolo looked confused and worried. He now have an idea how much Mirage loves her husband, her family. And seeing the way she was acting, he thinks that she shouldn¡¯t have seen that photo. The guilt that he felt was overwhelming.


    He¡¯s never seen Mirage like this before. And he doesn¡¯t want to see her like this.


    ¡± Mirage please-¡±


    He begged, trying to exin and reach out for her but she moved away.


    And as she turned her back around, her vision went blurry, her head started to hurt and everything cks out as she falls down on Nicolo¡¯s arm.

 Chapter 21 Unexpectedly

    Nicolo ordered Adams to get the car and they drove right away to the hospital. Don Augustus ran outside his office as soon as he heard Nicolo shouting.


    They were thankful that she didn¡¯t hit her head on the floor as Nicolo was able to catch her before shepletely fell. Nicolo calls Dr. Travis and tells him they¡¯re on their way. Detective Wright, though worried, bid his goodbye.


    ¡± What happened, Nicolo? ¡±


    Don Augustus anxiously asked while he kept looking back and forth from the unconscious Mirage and the front of the car. He¡¯s terribly nervous.


    Nicolo rubbed his hand on his forehead and exhaled nervously too.


    ¡± I. I don¡¯t really know. She picked up a photo that slipped  from the folder that Detective Wright had and she just stared at it. She gave back the photo and then she left. ¡±


    He answered.


    Don Augustus was still trying toprehend what is happening but he understands that Nicolo isn¡¯t making sense. He could feel that there¡¯s more. He just nodded and looked out at the road as they drove down. They reach the hospital quickly as soon as possible so they can check in with doctor Travis about Mirage.


    They arrived and the nurses guided them to where the doctor was waiting for them. He exined to Nicolo that there is an internal bleeding in Mirage after he checked on her, she needs a follow up surgery immediately.


    Nicolo was shocked to hear this but he knows that if they don¡¯t do something, it could causeplications. Dr. Travis assured Nicolo that the only reason why she was even conscious was because of the shock and adrenaline from the situation.


    And so they thought again that everything¡¯s gonna be okay.


    Until they found out that this woman won¡¯t wake up again after having to undergo another operation and that it¡¯s been two weeks since she was admitted.


    Everyone felt so lost about how things went wrong that day. It¡¯s almost like they have all failed somehow. Like if that photo doesn¡¯t fall into her hand, she would still be awake right now.


    Doctor Travis just finally finished his report when Nicolo and Don Augustus arrived.


    ¡± You should be aware that she will be fine, she just needs time and care. We¡¯ll keep her here in the ICU for further observation. ¡±


    Nicolo gave a small smile.


    ¡± Thanks doc, we appreciate you.¡±


    Dr. Travis sighed and patted Nicolo¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡± I know it¡¯s hard, and I wish there was something more we could do. ¡±


    The Doctor replied with a sympathetic face and then turned and walked toward the elevator.


    They entered the ICU without saying anything. Nicolo didn¡¯t want to make any noise and Don Augustus wasn¡¯t sure what to say. The room was full of silence.


    No one moved a single muscle. The silence was getting louder and more suffocating as each second passed by. Nicolo couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    ¡± I¡¯m sorry, Gramps. If only she didn¡¯t see Elven¡¯s photo, maybe she isn¡¯t like this now. ¡±


    ¡± Do you think she¡¯ll wake up? ¡±


    Don Augustus asked Nicolo who¡¯s currently leaning against the wall next to the door.


    ¡± Of course, I¡¯m sure she¡¯s going to wake up anytime soon.¡±


    Nicolo tried tofort his grandpa but even himself was thinking that it might not actually be the case.


    It has been two weeks since the incident happened.


    No sign of her waking up. They were just looking at herying motionless and silent in her bed.


    Nicolo¡¯s heart clenched as a tear fell on his grandpa¡¯s eyes.


    This whole situation feels like a nightmare. A bad dream that will never end not until she wakes up.


    ¡± I know it may sound pathetic and indifferenting from me but I feel like nothing else matters to me now other than her well being. ¡±


    ¡± She will be fine, Gramps. Everything will be fine. She¡¯s been through much worse. ¡±


    Don Augustus smiles.


    ¡± Yeah, I know, son. Things are gonna turn around soon. She just has to wake up. ¡±Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Nicolo looked up and sniffed trying to prevent his tears and tried to believe in some false hope himself. The older man walked toward him and patted him on his shoulder.


    Nicolo smiled and wiped the single tear that fell from his eye.


    They sat silently in the room watching over Mirage. She looks peaceful and calm. Even though they¡¯ve known her for only a short time, he knows that he can trust her and he wouldn¡¯t want anything different. He¡¯d rather die than lose her again.


    Nicolo¡¯s mind drifted away and thought about what happened. He just wants Mirage to be happy and safe. And yet, this still happens. Maybe it was fate or destiny, something that¡¯s supposed to happen whether they like it or not. Who knows! All he knows is that he hopes everything turns out alright.


    ¡± Do you think it is best for her not to see her husband for now? ¡±


    Nicolo asks Don Augustus while he tries to convince himself that everything is going to be okay. His grandfather sighs.


    ¡± I think it¡¯s for the better Nick, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Nicolo nods as he looks down at his feet.


    After a few minutes of waiting in silence, Nicolo stood up and announced that he¡¯s going outside to grab something to drink or eat. As he walks towards the door, he hears Don Augustus calling his name.


    Nicolo turned his head in confusion and saw his grandfather standing near the window.


    He walked toward him and stopped right beside him. Don Augustus stared out the window for a few seconds before turning to face his grandchild.


    ¡± I know she loves her husband. And as much as I love her and respect her husband, I can¡¯t help but worry that bringing them back together will just make things worse for her. Especially since she still doesn¡¯t remember him and he doesn¡¯t even know that she¡¯s alive¡­ ¡±


    ¡± If she wakes up¡­ and I¡¯m hoping that it¡¯ll happen soon, I don¡¯t want her to be ever like this again. It feels like she¡¯s dying every time. ¡±


    Nicolo knew that his grandfather was right, especially after everything that happened. He also can¡¯t help but worry about how his sole photo brings her back into aa again. What more will happen to her if they meet in person?


    Nicolo waved the scary thoughts inside his head. For now, he will tell Elven everything. But he will exin and make him understand that because of Mirage¡¯s health condition¡­


    they can¡¯t be together.

 Chapter 22 The Manager

    Elven decided to finally go back to work after 2 months of absence. After he left their house to his mother-inw, he spent another month furnishing the house he bought to keep himself busy and his mind upied.


    He was still sad. He had gotten so used to being alone, but he still missed having someone else around him. Even though they were gone for good, Elven knew they would always be a part of his life. His wife was a beautiful woman who gave her love freely. His daughter was sweet and loving just like her mom. He now fell in love with their memory and memories were what kept him going through these lonely days.


    The house he purchased before the ident was simple. And the ce where it was, isfortable and safe. It was located just outside the city. It was surrounded  byrge trees, and was situated on a hill. The view there was quite nice.


    There was a wooden bench where he could sit in the backyard as he admired the sky and enjoyed the warm weather. Or when he could look up at the moon that shines in the cold night and make everything seem like it will be alright.


    But this time, it didn¡¯t seem like it was going to be okay for Elven. Not anymore.


    Elven was going through a stack of documents at his small office in the hardware store that he worked for as the manager. It was inside one of the branches of a known Supermall in the country. Their hardware store was also known throughout.


    Someone knocked at the door and entered the room. It was the store crews.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about your loss, sir,¡± an employee named Miss Elisa said. She¡¯s also the team leader and she looks out for the store when Elven¡¯s not around.


    She walked towards him and handed a bouquet of flowers. She was smiling at him while speaking and looking sincere. And he appreciated that she tried to make him feel better.


    ¡°Thank you. ¡± He let out a sigh and smiled at them.


    ¡± What a touching scene we have here. ¡±  A voice sounded from behind the staff. It sounds sarcastic.


    He¡¯s wearing a ck suit. He has dark sunsses on, his hair slicked back, and a white shirt under his suit jacket. But the most notable thing is his sharp ck eyes as he removed his sunsses and walked in front of the staff.


    ¡± Mr. Harvey, good to see you. ¡± Elven said politely. The staff greeted him also. He was thepany¡¯s General Manager.


    ¡± How¡¯s your 2 months vacation Mr. Sanford? ¡± implying as if Elven enjoys his absence. The staff were quiet all of sudden, not knowing how to respond to the rudeness.


    ¡± I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s none of your business. ¡± Elven says calmly but coldly.


    Harvey smirked.


    ¡± Don¡¯t try to act tough now. ¡± He walks to the chair beside Elven¡¯s desk and sits on it. Everyone¡¯s eyes follow the newer.


    ¡± I¡¯m here to announce that ourpany has been bought. We have a new CEO. ¡± Harvey grinned. ¡± Might as well get a new manager in this branch, what do you think? ¡±


    The staff were confused. They look at each other and ask themselves who could buy such a huge chain of stores like that.


    ¡± What are you talking about? ¡± Elven asks. Thepany wasn¡¯t suffering any financial problem or loss so why would they sell this?


    ¡± You¡¯re not stupid, right? So I guess I¡¯ll be blunt. You know why I¡¯m here?¡± Harvey looks at him. Elven remain silent.


    ¡± I thought you¡¯re smart enough to get what I¡¯m saying, Mr. Sanford. Thepany was bought not because of financial problems but because of its potential. And the new owner made a deal with arge sum of money that¡¯s why the former owners didn¡¯t hesitate anymore. ¡± Harvey smirks again.


    ¡± I¡¯m here to say that you¡¯re going to be fired. ¡± Mr. Harvey said matter of fact. He despised Elven so much because he couldn¡¯t pocketed money from this branch. The process of funds transfer from this branch was so transparent that he couldn¡¯t do anything. And even though he tried to steal from him several times in the past, he just failed to do so because the ounting department would notice that he¡¯s the cause of the theft.


    ¡± I¡¯ll tell the management to fire you because you¡¯re ipetent and irresponsible. ¡± referring to that one time when they got aint because of faulty wirings from a hand drill that was purchased at their store that caused a fire. But that was proven false because that item really doesn¡¯te from their store.


    Mr. Harvey insisted that it still causes them a bad reputation and that¡¯s because of Elven, the old management doesn¡¯t think like him so they didn¡¯t do anything to Elven. But with the new management, this time he was going to get rid of the annoying person who keeps messing with him.


    Elven was a nice guy. Everyone loved him. But apparently Harvey isn¡¯t fond of nice people. Elven was too kind hearted. There¡¯s really no reason for Harvey or thepany to fire him but he needs to because of his wrong doings.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    It was a shock. Elven eyes narrowed but still kept his mouth shut. The staff didn¡¯t say anything either. They don¡¯t know how to react. Why would an outstanding and hardworking manager like Elven need to be fired?


    ¡± I know what you¡¯re thinking. But I¡¯ll make sure that everyone¡¯s going to know your ipetence and how ipetent you are. ¡± Harvey added.


    Thatst sentence made Elven smile bitterly. He knows he¡¯s not perfect. But he¡¯s doing everything he can.


    ¡± Now I¡¯m done here, I¡¯m leaving. You know, I don¡¯t want to see that face of yours ever again. You can submit your resignation letter tomorrow . ¡± Harvey stood up.


    ¡± I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary, Mr. Fred Harvey. ¡± a voice of a man suddenly heard from behind the door and it opened.

 Chapter 23 The CEO

    Nicolo Esquibel is talking with Attorney David Mendez on his phone while he¡¯s looking outside the window of his room. He¡¯s watching Euphemia y in the garden with her nanny. She¡¯s crawling on the grass, trying to catch one of the butterflies she¡¯s seen flying around the flowers. Her face shines with happiness. He loves watching her y, she¡¯s so happy all the time. Doesn¡¯t have any idea what¡¯s really happening around her and what¡¯s going on with her Mom. Just being pure and innocent.


    ¡± Where are you right now, Attorney? ¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m on my way to meet Mr. Sanford, sir Nick. I¡¯m actually here outside his office. ¡± Attorney Mendez was about to knock when they both heard Harvey¡¯s voice.


    ¡± Wait, don¡¯t go in there yet. ¡± Nicolo ordered the attorney.


    ¡± Sure, sir. This actually sounds interesting. ¡± the attorney replied.


    ¡± I¡¯m here to say that you¡¯re going to be fired. ¡± Harvey said arrogantly.


    ¡± Wow. Who does he think he is? ¡± Nicolo said. Attorney Mendez just quietly chuckled.


    ¡± I¡¯ll tell the management to fire you because you¡¯re ipetent and irresponsible. ¡± Harvey continues to mock Elven while thetter stays silent.


    ¡± Oh, I would love to give him a punch in the face if only I¡¯m there. ¡± Nicolo sneered.


    ¡± I don¡¯t mind if you asked me to. ¡± Attorney says yfully.


    ¡± I would love to, but I don¡¯t want you to get your hand dirty, attorney. ¡± Nicolo smiles. He really likes this attorney¡¯s humor.


    ¡± I know what you¡¯re thinking. But I¡¯ll make sure that everyone¡¯s going to know your ipetence and how ipetent you are. ¡± Harvey said, sounding so dignified.


    ¡± Attorney, do you have a hands free device with you? ¡± Nicolo said.


    ¡± I¡¯m actually using one right now, why do you ask? ¡± Attorney Mendez adjusted his earpiece as he answered Nicolo¡¯s inquiry.


    ¡± Good. Please do me a favor. Let me borrow your mouth just this time, attorney. ¡±


    ¡± As you wish, sir Nick. ¡±


    ¡± Now I¡¯m done here, I¡¯m leaving. You know, I don¡¯t want to see that face of yours ever again. You can submit your resignation letter tomorrow . ¡± Harvey said triumphantly.


    ¡± Let¡¯s go, attorney. ¡±


    And the attorney entered the room.


    ¡± I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary, Mr. Fred Harvey.¡± Nicolo said through Attorney Mendez of course.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes follow the voice of the neer. Fred Harvey was shocked but smiled as he recognized Attorney David Mendez. The crews were amazed and couldn¡¯t help but admire the handsome attorney that Nicolo heard some suppressed giggles and words of admirations.


    ¡± Woah. I don¡¯t know that you are such a well-known attorney in the Philippines. I won¡¯t be surprised if you¡¯re going to tell me that you actually have a fans club there.¡± Nicolo said, sounding really amused.


    The handsome attorney can¡¯t help but smile as Nicolo teases him.


    He¡¯s really well-known not just because he was the CEO of the well-knownw firm owned by the Esquibels but he really is a top notch attorney. He has a high winning rate and he was the number one sought after attorney in the country. He was also awarded many times plus he was actually handsome at the age of 39. He¡¯s a bachelor that many women want.


    Attorney Mendez stopped in front of Elven and offered his hand.


    ¡± I¡¯m attorney David Mendez of LE Firm. I¡¯m the legal representative of the new CEO of thispany and this mall. ¡±


    Elven took his hand.


    ¡± I¡¯m Elven Sanford. I¡¯m the manager here, sir. ¡± Elven said politely.


    ¡± I¡¯m Fred Harvey, attorney. I¡¯m the general manager-


    ¡± Not anymore. ¡± said Nicolo. And the attorney ryed the message.


    Harvey¡¯s eyes widened in shock. The staff were puzzled. They don¡¯t have any idea what¡¯s going on. They¡¯ve been surprised by too many unexpected events today.


    ¡± But sir- ¡± Harvey said with a pleading voice. And a begging look on his ugly face. Far from his arrogant and annoying look earlier.


    ¡± No buts. You already did so much harm to thispany so I¡¯m not going to let you stay here for another minute.¡± attorney Mendez said nonchntly. ¡± Or do you want me to organize a mini reunion with you¡­


    in court? ¡±


    the attorney added mischievously.


    ¡± Oh. You¡¯ve done your assignment, attorney. ¡± Nicolo said, smirking on the other line.


    Fred Harvey shut his mouth and scurried away. Afraid that his little secret would be known if he stays there a little bit longer.


    ¡± And with that, Congrattions Mr Sanford. You¡¯re now the new General Manager. ¡± attorney Mendez announced and the crews were shocked again but celebrated after realizing that the attorney wasn¡¯t bluffing.


    Elven was surprised just like the others.


    ¡± That was a bit too fast, attorney. I think there¡¯s someone much more deserving for that position. ¡± Elven said awkwardly.


    ¡± Are you saying you don¡¯t deserve that position? ¡± Nicolo asked. He¡¯s starting to know what kind of person Elven is.


    Elven scratches his head as he can¡¯t answer the question right away. And he doesn¡¯t exactly know what is the right answer to that question. Does he really need to say that he deserves it?


    ¡± That¡¯s not what I want to say, sir. It¡¯s just that there are people who worked much longer and contributed a lot more to thepany other than me. ¡± Elven said politely as usual. He¡¯s not one to brag.


    ¡± It¡¯s not just always those who worked longer and contributed more are the only ones that deserve a good position. Those who worked honestly and passionately are meant to be blessed too. ¡± Nicolo said with a smile. Though no one could ever see that.


    ¡± If only I could tell you that you are actually the new CEO¡¯s husband, then you don¡¯t need to be the general manager of thatpany anymore. You¡¯ll be the president of that mall instead. ¡± Nicolo said, sounding bitter because of Mirage¡¯s current situation. And attorney Mendez understands it very well.N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡± So just ept the position, Mr. Sanford. You are more deserving than you give yourself credit for. ¡± attorney Mendez said with a smile that hides a certain secret that Elven would truly die for to know.


    Thepany where Elven is working, the one that Nicolo bought, was actually bought under the name of Mirage. She¡¯s the new CEO of thepany and that whole supermall without her knowing as she was still lying in her hospital bed.

 Chapter 24 Nothing

    It¡¯s been a month already when Mirage sumbed to sleep again. It¡¯s been 2 months since the tragedy happened. Her daughter Euphemia was taken to her once in a while to avoid too much anxiety build up.


    Euphemia wasfortable enough with Nicolo that she always wanted to be by his side aside from her Mom. Or maybe she just misses her Dad? Who knows.


    It didn¡¯t matter, though. Because Nicolo and Euphemia are inseparable. He is the one who takes care of her while her mom is lying there in her hospital bed.


    Nicolo was happy to take care of his niece. He was tired but he made sure she ate and slept well. Nicolo would do anything for her even if it meant giving up sleep. He would make time for her no matter how busy he was from being the CEO of a hugepany. He doesn¡¯t mind spending more time with her. In fact, he likes it! He loves seeing Euphemia happy and rxed. It¡¯s what makes him feel content.


    She has grown so much over the months. She looks like her mother now, only smaller. And she definitely resembles him a bit now. She has brown round eyes, her dark brown hair that curls at the end and her facial features were definitely the same as her uncle . Nicolo can proudly say that his niece has his face, his personality and his genes.


    He wouldn¡¯t let anything bad happen to his niece ever. He knew that nothing would ever change between them. That there is nothing he could give up, except his love for her. That he¡¯ll cherish every moment they spend together.


    A knock on his door startled him out of his thoughts. He looked over and saw Adams standing behind it. He had been calling him several times.


    ¡± Sir Nick, it¡¯s almost time to go to the office.¡± he said, smiling awkwardly at him.


    He stood up from his seat. He grabs his suit and walks out the door without saying anything. Cris Adams closed the door of Nicolo¡¯s office at home behind and followed Nicolo who¡¯s already going down the stairs. They reached thest step but they abruptly stopped when they heard Euphemia¡¯s cry from upstairs.


    ¡± Mommy! Mommy! ¡±


    She¡¯s crying in her nanny¡¯s arms. Nicolo hurried back upstairs and took her from the nanny and she stopped crying altogether as if she¡¯s just making an excuse to be carried by his uncle.


    ¡± Easy, baby, don¡¯t cry now. Uncle is here. ¡± Nicolo said soothingly. Euphemia wrapped her tiny arms around his neck andy her head on his shoulder.


    ¡± Mommy. Mommy. ¡± the baby said sniffling.


    ¡± Alright. We¡¯ll go to your Mom, okay? ¡±


    Nicolo said and then he turned to go down the stairs again. He passed by Adams who¡¯s waiting at the bottom of the stairs.


    ¡± Cancel all my meetings  today. Cancel all the contracts or terminate the deals with those who willin. ¡±


    ¡± Yes, sir! ¡± Adams can¡¯t hide his smile. He¡¯s happy to see Nicolo behaving like this because of the baby. He¡¯s totally changed. He turned 360 degrees from being a cold-hearted CEO to a warm and loving uncle for Euphemia.


    They drove to the hospital instead of the office. They arrived at the hospital after half an hour. They met Dr. Travis at the elevator.


    ¡± Hi Euphy! Good morning! ¡±


    But the baby turned away from him. Nicolo sneered.


    ¡± Ha! She doesn¡¯t like you. ¡± he said, taunting the poor doctor.


    ¡± Poor baby, you¡¯re teaching her to hate me, aren¡¯t you? ¡±


    ¡± How did you know? ¡±


    ¡± Wow. Can¡¯t you at least pretend you¡¯re not? ¡±


    And they reached Mirage¡¯s room while bickering. They found the old man there and they were surprised. Mirage is awake!


    They both approached her bed. Nicolo sat down beside her carefully and Euphemia immediately put her arms around her mother¡¯s neck. She looked at her mom with her innocent eyes. Mirage gives her a hug and a kiss on her head.


    ¡± I¡¯m really amazed with your mother-daughter connection. ¡±


    Nicolo said shaking his head but smiling.N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡± She¡¯s crying and calling you that¡¯s why I brought her here. ¡±


    Mirage smiles and thanked Nicolo.


    ¡± When did she wake up? ¡±


    Dr. Travis asked Don Augustus.


    ¡± Hmm, more or less 10 minutes ago. ¡± the old man said, smiling. Relief is evident on his face.


    ¡± I¡¯ve been out for a month? Is that true? ¡±


    Mirage asked, still in disbelief. She looked at her daughter and gave her another kiss and a hug. Dr. Travis nodded with a sad smile.


    ¡± Yes. You¡¯re here for a whole month already. Do you remember anything before you passed out? ¡±


    ¡± I¡¯ve been thinking about it actually¡­ ¡±


    She breathes.


    ¡± I think I fell on the stairs. I don¡¯t know why but I remembered falling. ¡±


    Nicolo and Travis were shocked. Her memory was distorted!


    ¡± I haven¡¯t told her anything. I don¡¯t want to even ask. I¡¯m scared that it might strain her again. ¡±


    ¡± I¡¯m sorry for worrying you, Gramps. ¡± Mirage said apologetic.


    ¡± No, sweetheart, you don¡¯t have to. You didn¡¯t even do anything wrong. ¡±


    Silence.


    ¡± Please, help me not to pass out again like that. I don¡¯t want to worry you and¡­ I don¡¯t really want to leave my daughter like that ever again. ¡±


    Nicolo heaved a deep sigh.


    ¡± You know what, the real reason why you fell unconscious¡­ ¡±


    ¡± Nicolo! ¡± Don Augustus is nervous.


    ¡± It¡¯s okay, Gramps. I want to know. I¡¯m ready to know. ¡±


    Don Augustus nces at Travis asking for help. Dr. Travis just nodded reassuringly.


    ¡± You saw a photograph of your husband. ¡±


    A fast beeping sound resonates in the room. It was her heartbeat monitor. But then, it suddenly slows down and returns to normal before they start to panic.


    Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡± If that¡¯s the case¡­ maybe we shouldn¡¯t really see each other, for now. Right? ¡±


    Another wave of sadness filled the room.


    ¡± Let¡¯s do that, for now. ¡±


    Dr. Travis said.


    ¡± Have you found him already? Have you found out anything about him? ¡±


    ¡± We already know who he is. I¡¯m just waiting for the reports about him. Do you want anything about his information? ¡±


    Don Augustus asked. Nicolo kept silent. He¡¯s analyzing the situation.


    ¡± Nothing. I don¡¯t want any information about him. ¡°

 Chapter 25 Moments

    ¡± Nothing. I don¡¯t want any information about him. ¡±


    Everyone in the room was surprised by Mirage¡¯s straightforwardness.


    ¡± Hey. Just take it slow. You don¡¯t need to decide about it right away. You¡¯ve just woken up. ¡±


    Nicolo said. His mind was wondering about her husband, Elven. The poor guy was already heartbroken and if Mirage doesn¡¯t want to do anything with him right now, Elven¡¯s suffering will take much longer.


    ¡± I¡¯ve decided, Nico. ¡± Mirage said while slowly shaking her head.


    ¡± I really want to remember him and everything that I forget. But if it¡¯s just gonna put me again to sleep, I don¡¯t think I would want it. Euphemia needs me. I don¡¯t want her to grow without me. Well, I don¡¯t want her to grow without her father but I really want us to beplete again. And if telling his Dad that we are alive and then it puts me back again to sleep, and it happens that I don¡¯t wake up anymore? I don¡¯t think he would also want that. I don¡¯t want to take that risk. ¡±


    They fell silent. She has a point. What good will it bring if he knows that his family is alive but in exchange it will put Mirage again in the state ofa? Without knowing when she will wake up or if she will be able to wake up again. That¡¯s just another pure nightmare.


    And they all know that.


    ¡± Okay, alright. We understand what you mean, no matter how bad you feel about it, okay? ¡±


    Nicolo said, giving her cousin a reassuring tap on her shoulder.


    ¡± It¡¯ll be easier to protect my mental health if we don¡¯t tell anyone at all. ¡±


    But they can feel and see how sad and broken she is just by looking at her pale beautiful face because of this whole difficult matter in front of them.


    ¡± Maybe it would be better if my husband didn¡¯t really know about this. About us. That way, he won¡¯t be so worried. What he doesn¡¯t know, won¡¯t hurt him at all. ¡±


    Mirage sadly added.


    Everyone was shocked by this outburst from her. They didn¡¯t know how she managed to stay so calm until now. But the way she reacted to this, they could see her strong and independent sideing out. It made them so proud and less worried at least. If it¡¯s what she decided, then the only thing they could do is to support her and try to make her happy. Even if it¡¯s only temporary.


    Because they know, her family being together is what will really make her the happiest.


    ¡ª


    It took two more days before Dr. Travis dered that she could go home. But she still needed to take some rest and undergo some therapy as she was in bed for a whole month.


    In the next few weeks there were more conversations among them, especially with Nicolo, who always tried to make sure that she¡¯s not feeling ufortable. They grew fond of each other and of course their bickering was still there.


    Mirage and Euphemia had lots of fun, too. They spend a lot of time with each other, talking and eating and sleeping together, cuddling, watching nursery rhymes and ying games.


    Nicolo and Dr. Travis also found more reasons to stay and visit the mansion more often than before. It felt nice to meet Euphemia and have that wonderful baby at the mansion. The mansion became more alive and a happy ce to be.


    The most important person, though, is Mirage. She became their little sister after all. Everyone could see how close and sweet the cousins are to each other. They have been talking andughing with each other ever since the day she woke up, and they don¡¯t seem to notice the time whenever they¡¯re with each other.


    Don Augustus was so overwhelmed seeing his grandchildren getting along so well even after what he has done. Plus he also has his beautiful great grandchild, Euphy.


    He could only just hope that his daughter and sons visit him so they can be together and spend at least a little time. That would probably be the best moment he could have made during his entire life.


    Even so, sometimes he just feels like he¡¯s missing something in his life, although he had everything someone could wished for. Or maybe someone else. A certain special someone whom he had lost long ago. A part of his soul.


    ¡ª


    Mirage couldn¡¯t get enough of her ¡± new ¡± family. They were so kind, so funny, so caring¡­ she couldn¡¯t believe how lucky she felt having such people in her life. And now that she knows how they all are, she also wanted to be with her better half, but unfortunately her mind didn¡¯t allow it. So instead of moping around and being stressed, she just focused on making her daughter, everyone around them and herself happy, helping them to enjoy and just living every second and every minute of every day.


    One morning as soon as she woke up, she went downstairs to cook breakfast for everyone. She was assisted by the maids and the chef herself reminding her that she doesn¡¯t need to push herself.


    ¡± What is so difficult about frying eggs and bacon? ¡± she asked them with a smile


    ¡± I¡¯m not cooking for a feast so calm yourself. ¡± she added.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Her eyes wandered to a photo of them that hung on the wall at the dining area, where they were all looking happy and grinning from ear to ear. That made her smile too. The picture reminded her of the time they went barbecuing at the back of the mansion. They were capturing moments they spent together and it was just so fulfilling.


    She just finished when Nicolo arrived with Euphemia in his arms.


    ¡± So, does the sun rise from the west today? ¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t you dare eat anything. ¡±


    Nicolo chuckled and sat down.


    ¡± Well, at least they weren¡¯t burnt. ¡± and he shoved a piece of bacon into his mouth. Euphy just giggles and that makes Nicolough.


    ¡± Your daughter justughed at you! ¡±


    ¡± Oh, shut up. ¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s still early in the morning and you two are already at it again. ¡±


    Don Augustus arrived shaking his head smiling.


    ¡± Don¡¯t you agree, my pretty Euphy? ¡± the old man asked his sweet great-grandchild and the baby just giggled again.


    ¡± Oh, we¡¯re just right on time, I¡¯m hungry! ¡±


    A high-pitched voice of a gorgeous woman said. She¡¯s with Dr. Travis who¡¯s just waving his hand to the baby who¡¯s looking at the woman beside him that she never had seen before.

 Chapter 26 Chloe Schmidt

    Everyone was speechless. Looking at the neers.


    ¡± Oh. My. Gosh! ¡± she shrieks.


    ¡± Nick! Is that your baby? ¡±


    ¡± What the hell? ¡± Nicolo¡¯s brows furrowed as he whispered those words.


    Dr Travis chuckled quietly and hid his smiles from his gorgeouspanion. Don Augustus suppressed his smile too.


    ¡± Hello, Grandpa! How are you? ¡±


    And the gorgeous woman glides forward to the old man and gives him a hug and a peck on his cheek. She¡¯s graceful just like a ramp model.


    ¡± What a surprise, Chloe. When did youe back? ¡±


    ¡± I love surprises Grandpa. Just a couple of days ago. I got bored in Paris so I decided to go home. ¡± she smiles sweetly and then pouted when she said she was bored.


    ¡± Wow. You talk like Paris, France was just across the street. ¡± Nicolo muttered.


    ¡± I heard you Nick! ¡± she red at him. But then she smiles and glides again towards him.


    ¡± Hello, sweetie! You are so pretty like me! ¡±


    ¡± What?!? Don¡¯t make her cry, Chloe. ¡±


    ¡± You are so mean, Nick. I hate you. ¡±


    ¡± You always do. ¡±


    ¡± So, is she your wife? What did you force her to eat? Is she blind or something? ¡±


    ¡± Hey, Travis. Didn¡¯t you educate your wife? Where did she get that horrible idea? I¡¯m having goosebumps. Nicolo said with utter disgusts.


    ¡± Oh. That¡¯s my line. ¡± Mirage fires back after a long time listening to them.


    ¡± Oooohh. I like her. We both hate you, Nick. Ha! ¡± Chloe said with a smirk.


    ¡± Whatever. Let¡¯s just eat. This baby¡¯s hungry. ¡±


    And he gives Euphemia to her mom.


    They areughing together while chatting about how beautiful Euphemia is.


    ¡± It took all my strength not to punch Nick for saying that. ¡± Chloe said, sounding irritated.


    ¡± It must be hard, right. ¡± Mirage said.


    But Nicolo just ignores them and eats to his heart content.


    After the whole breakfast discussion including Mirage¡¯s ident and health condition, they all went to their respective cars, bid goodbye and go to work.


    ¡± So, what do you do now? ¡±


    ¡± Besides taking care of Euphy, nothing much, really. Your husband¡¯s instructions are cold steel. I¡¯m not supposed to do anything that will tire and exhaust me even if it¡¯s already been 5 weeks since the time that I passed out. ¡±


    ¡± Oh, I wouldn¡¯t argue with that. He¡¯s so unbelievably stern most of the time that¡¯s why I¡¯ve been frequently going out of town to unwind. ¡± Chloe said matter of fact.


    ¡± I wonder how the two of you ended up together, you seem totally¡­ ¡±


    ¡± Opposites? Yes, we are. ¡± Chloe smiles.


    ¡± So, howe? ¡±


    ¡± What else? Arranged married. ¡± Chloe said unbothered.


    ¡± Oh. I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s still happening today. ¡±


    ¡± Well, for the rich families it was called an investment. ¡±


    ¡± Do you regret that? ¡±


    Chloe¡¯s smile widened.


    ¡± I like you. I really like you. Your straightforwardness is amusing. ¡±


    ¡± Ah. Really? I don¡¯t know, it¡¯s just when I want to ask something I ask, and if you don¡¯t want to answer, then don¡¯t. Simple isn¡¯t it? ¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s true. Why make thingsplicated right? ¡±Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡± Yup. ¡±


    ¡± Anyway, I¡¯m not regretting any of it. Travis is a good man. And he¡¯s understanding me all the time. Unlike those other men I know who cheated and beat up their wives, I¡¯m d he¡¯s the one I¡¯ve got to marry. ¡±


    ¡± Well, I can see that he is indeed a good person not just because we¡¯re cousins. ¡± Mirage thriftly smiles and Chloe smiles with her.


    ¡± And a good person isn¡¯t hard to learn to love. ¡±


    ¡± I bet that¡¯s true. ¡±


    And then they decided to go to Mirage¡¯s room to put Euphemia down to her bed. She¡¯s fast asleep as the two women talk about everything and anything.


    As they arrive at her room, Chloe roams her eyes.


    ¡± Hey, can I check your closet? ¡±


    ¡± Ha? Ah, sure. ¡±


    Chloe excitedly walks toward the door of her built-in closet. Mirage carefully put down Euphemia on her crib. And a loud squeal was heard from the closet. Mirage quickly ordered the nanny to watch out for her baby and then she ran towards the closet.


    ¡± What happened? Are you alright? ¡±


    ¡± What is this? Why do you only have tshirts, sweatpants and pajamas here? ¡±


    Chloe said while pointing disgustingly at her clothes. Mirage can¡¯t help but smack her own forehead lightly.


    ¡± Oh my goodness. ¡± she whispered in disbelief.


    ¡± This is a crime, Mir. ¡±


    ¡± Stop being so dramatic, Chloe. ¡± she said as she can¡¯t stop rolling her eyes at Chloe¡¯s antics.


    ¡± I¡¯d rather wear those pajamas and shirts than a hospital gown, okay? ¡±


    ¡± Well, you have a point but. Ahhh! I can¡¯t take this. Let me get out of here! ¡± and she went stomping out of the built-in closet. Leaving Mirage alone.


    She sighs.


    ¡°I swear, she is impossible. ¡± she muttered to herself before she followed the woman who¡¯s throwing tantrums over a bunch of clothes inside her closet.


    She found Chloe standing at the veranda fanning herself with her hands.


    ¡± I swear, Mirage. This is the first time. This is the very first time I saw something like that. ¡±


    ¡± I can¡¯t really see what¡¯s wrong with my clothes, they¡¯refortable. ¡±


    Chloe shut her eyes up suppressing her irritation, I guess.


    ¡± Does your injury have something to do with your taste? ¡±


    ¡± Who knows? ¡± Mirage just shrugged.


    ¡± I get it that those arefortable. Way better than a hospital gown as you say. ¡± she said while rolling her eyes. ¡± But for goodness sake! Does it have to be a dozen of ck, a dozen of gray and a dozen of white? Don¡¯t you know any other colors? Have you gotten colorblind? Those colors are so depressing! ¡± she said without a break.


    Mirage was dumbfounded. So that¡¯s her problem? The colors? She sighed.


    ¡± You know what? You¡¯re being funny and dramatic at the same time. I only let the maids buy me clothes because I am not yet able to get out. I don¡¯t want to wear clothes that I don¡¯t prefer of course. So I choose the generics. The basics. The simplest. Okay? ¡±


    ¡± Not really. I still can¡¯t take it. A beautifully built, built-in closet was wasted! ¡±


    ¡± Oh shut up. What do you want to do then? ¡±


    And there. In just a snap. Chloe¡¯s frown vanished into thin air and her lips were curled into her beautifullest, if there such word, smile that she ever let Mirage see.


    ¡± Oh crap. I feel like I¡¯ve fallen into a trap. ¡± Mirage cursed under her breath.


    ¡± Let¡¯s go shopping!!! ¡±


    Chloe screams gleefully.


    ¡± Sheesh. Stay quiet, Euphy is sleeping! ¡± Mirage just said. Defeated.

 Chapter 27 VVIP

    ¡± Do we really have to go now? ¡±


    Mirage said reluctantly.


    ¡± Yes. And that¡¯s final, my dear. ¡±


    Chloe said authoritatively. Mirage sighed. She doesn¡¯t really like the idea of shopping with Chloe.


    ¡± Dr. Travis said I am not supposed to be tired, you know? ¡±


    Mirage said, trying to wiggle out her way of the situation she got in.


    ¡± We¡¯re not going to shop all day, my dear. And don¡¯t you give my husband your reason not to go out with me, I¡¯ll divorce him right here, right now if I have to, just because of you.¡±


    Mirage mouth gape open.


    ¡® Seriously? She¡¯d do that just because I don¡¯t want to go shopping with her? What a nutjob this woman is!  She¡¯s far worse than Nico! ¡®


    And Nicolo sneezed in his office while reading some documents.


    ¡± Who the hell thinks bad about me? ¡± he muttered after wiping his face with a hanky and continued to read some contracts before signing.


    ¡± So, shall we? ¡±


    Chloe smiles triumphantly. Mirage shakes her head, defeated.


    ¡± I don¡¯t want to leave Euphy. ¡±


    ¡± Oh, don¡¯t give me that crap! You¡¯re out, lying in your hospital bed for a month and your daughter is being taken care of alright. We¡¯re just going to shop for an hour or two. I can hire a dozen nannies to look for her while she sleeps. Will that make you feel better? ¡±


    ¡± Ah. Let¡¯s go. ¡±


    And yes, Mirage was the first one to walk towards Chloe¡¯s car.


    ¡± You can¡¯t reason out with me, my dear. ¡±


    Chloe said as she blew a strand of her golden hair out of her pretty face and walked towards her car where Mirage is already sitting on the passenger seat looking miserable as if she was going to prison and not into a shopping mall.


    ¡± Why a long face, my dear? ¡±


    Chloe asks as she sitsfortably at the back and instructs her driver to take them to Equinox, the biggest shopping center in the area. It was also one of the most expensive ces in the city with lots of 5 star restaurants, luxury boutiques and jewelry stores to name some but that didn¡¯t matter. Chloe loves spending money and she wanted to spend it on Mirage today.


    ¡± Do you really need to ask? ¡±


    Mirage replied bluntly, making the other woman roll her eyes and turn her attention to the road. They arrived at the shopping center and they both stepped outside.


    ¡± So, what should we look for first?¡±


    Chloe asked as they were walking around the mall. The ce was packed with people who are doing whatever they do. Some are chilling in a cafe, others are grooming their pets and even pampering themselves in a spa. This ce has it all. Mirage could only shake her head hopelessly and follow Chloe through the crowds until they reached the shop that Chloe had chosen.


    The store had arge number of racks filled with expensive looking clothes and essories that looked too much for Mirage¡¯s liking.


    ¡± Choose whatever you like. I¡¯ll go get something for Euphemia. Don¡¯t go wandering elsewhere, I¡¯ll be back soon. ¡±


    ¡± Yeah, yeah. ¡±


    Mirage saidmely, pretending to look at the clothes in front of her.


    ¡® As if I want to go anywhere, I¡¯d rather go home. ¡®


    She thought to herself. She walked slowly, scanning the clothes without really paying attention.  Suddenly, someone taps her shoulder.


    ¡± Excuse me miss, how may I help you? ¡±


    Mirage turned around to know who it is and find a young looking salesperson wearing a warm smile, smiling at her.


    ¡± Oh. I just wanna go and look around for something, alone? ¡±


    ¡± It¡¯s alright, just call me if you need help. ¡±


    ¡± Sure, thanks! ¡±


    Mirage said with a wry smile and turned around and walked away from the saledy named Mary, ording to her namete. She doesn¡¯t really like to be assisted, she doesn¡¯t want to be here in the first ce.


    She reached the essories section of the shop without realizing it.


    ¡® What¡¯s taking Chloe so long? ¡®


    She thought as her eyes caught the attention of the disy of luxurious watches. She walked closer to take a peek, it looked quite expensive, made of premium leathers. Her gaze fell on the next rack of watches, this rack seemed to have a lot of diamond studded watches in there. And the price isn¡¯t just a few hundred dors. But a hundred thousand dors or a thousand of hundreds. Or a million maybe?


    ¡® Does it really have to be this expensive just to look at the time? ¡®


    ¡± These are some limited edition watches. You can¡¯t just buy it from anywhere. ¡±


    Another saledy interrupted her not so fun shopping escapade. Mirage looked at her with her uninterested look and she could see her sly and mocking smile even she tried her best to hide it.


    ¡® I¡¯m not even asking. ¡®


    ¡± Oh. Great. ¡±


    Mirage simply said. Ending the conversation. She turned around to leave and look somewhere else to avoid a nonsense sales talk because she¡¯s not interested and it¡¯s just a waste of her time.


    ¡® How dare she shrug me off when she doesn¡¯t have the ability to buy anything from this shop! ¡®


    ¡± If you¡¯re done looking around, you may leave. ¡±


    And this made Mirage stop. She slowly looked at the saledy again. Her name te says that her name is Lydia.


    ¡± Say that again? ¡±


    ¡± I said, ¡® If you¡¯re done looking around, you can leave.¡¯ You¡¯re disrupting our work. ¡±


    Lydia said in an irritated tone and she even dared to raise her eyebrow at Mirage.


    ¡± How am I disrupting your work, actually? ¡±


    Mirage said and she slipped her hands on her jeans pocket and gave Lydia her bored look.


    ¡® This woman is insane. How dare she talk back to me like this. She doesn¡¯t look like she could afford anything from our shop. She doesn¡¯t look like she has money on her at all! Ha. I¡¯m going to put you in your rightful ce! ¡®


    Lydia crossed her arms on her chest and shed her malicious grin.


    ¡± You¡¯re surveying our shop to find something to sneak out, right? I can see through your actions! You¡¯re avoiding our salespersons so no one can see you when you snatched something out here. You¡¯re just waiting for the right timing but I won¡¯t let that happen! ¡±


    Mirage let out a bitterugh.


    ¡® This b*tch is incredibly annoying ¡®


    ¡± Where did you get that ridiculous idea? Are you watching too much drama? ¡±


    Lydiaughed out loud too. Getting the attention of the customers and other salesdies inside the shop.


    ¡± Look at you. You don¡¯t look like you can afford anything inside our shop. You don¡¯t look like you have money at all and you¡¯re acting like that? ¡±


    ¡± What¡¯s so wrong with my shirt and jeans? They¡¯refortable. Even my sneakers, too. You spewing baseless assumptions can get you in prison, don¡¯t you know that? ¡±


    Mirage said unbothered from all the eyes that¡¯s now watching their little drama.


    Lydia is feeling really annoyed right now because Mirage isn¡¯t taking her seriously. She wanted to humiliate Mirage but she¡¯s embarrassing herself instead.


    ¡® And she has the guts to scare me like that? Just wait and you¡¯ll be the one who will end up in prison! ¡®


    ¡± Wow. You¡¯re good at acting huh? So why don¡¯t we take a look at your pocket if you¡¯re not hiding anything? How was that? ¡±


    Lydia smiles as if she hits the jackpot. But to her dismay¡­


    ¡± Sure. ¡±


    Mirage said with a dignified look as she retracted her hands off her pocket.


    The onlookers started to whisper here and there.


    ¡± Why is that saledy being so rude? ¡±


    ¡± What has she done wrong? ¡±


    ¡± using someone without enough evidence is a no no. ¡±


    ¡± What if she doesn¡¯t really have something in her pocket? ¡±


    ¡± She will lose her job for sure! ¡±


    These statements make Lydia horrified.


    ¡® Why do I even tell her off like that? What do I do now? What am I getting myself into? ¡®


    ¡± So, what¡¯s inside your pocket anyway? ¡±


    Out of nowhere, Chloe shows up beside Mirage and fishes something out of her jeans pocket and throw it on top of the ss disy of watches in front of Lydia.


    ¡± Hey, what took you so long? ¡±


    But no one minds what Mirage said to Chloe as they¡¯re eyes widened upon realizing what¡¯s the thing she has in her pocket. Lydia covered her mouth in shock and looked terrified as ever. Her eyes started to tear up in horror.


    It was a prestigious card known solely in that shopping center.


    For their VVIP members.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Sky¡¯s the limit.

 Chapter 28 Call the CEO

    ¡± What¡¯s going on here? ¡±


    A man in a dark navy blue suit came out of the shop¡¯s office. He was Mr. Rob Fuller, the shop¡¯s manager.


    Before he even gets closer, Chloe¡¯s phone suddenly rings and she turns around and takes a few steps away from Mirage to answer it. But then she went outside of the shop to answer the call.


    ¡± Mr. Fuller! ¡±


    Lydia¡¯s face suddenly lit up and she felt relief upon seeing the manager. And then she acted up.


    ¡± Mr. Fuller, I made a mistake. I thought she¡¯s a thief so I confronted her. But she has the VVIP card. But I don¡¯t know who she is. ¡±


    Mirage stood there looking bored as the time passed by and didn¡¯t mind what the saledy just said. Lydia knew how to behave in front of him. She was professional and respected him so far. And when he saw that Mirage was not going to give an exnation as to what happened, he decided to talk some sense into Lydia.


    He walked toward where Lydia was standing and put his hand on top of her shoulder and smiled at her warmly.


    ¡± It¡¯s okay. If you did something wrong, apologize to the person you¡¯ve wronged. And you should also need to be careful with your words when you confront others but then you should never be afraid to speak your mind.¡±


    The way he said thatcks empathy towards Mirage who was being judged over and over again. He just wanted to seek sympathy for him and Lydia that represents their shop by saying flowery words.


    The girl nodded but she didn¡¯t really want to apologize after everything that had happened.


    ¡± I¡¯m sorry for suspecting you. ¡±


    Lydia said, trying hard to hide her disgust. Her words obviouslyck sincerity.


    ¡± You don¡¯t need to apologize if you don¡¯t want to. ¡±


    Mirage simply said, which make Mr. Fuller¡¯s lips twitch and Lydia¡¯s brow arched.


    ¡± So, where did you get your copy of this? ¡±


    Mr. Rob Fuller said while he picked up the card on top of the ss disy. It looks quite the real thing after he examined it. Lydia sneered.


    ¡± Maybe she picked that up somewhere. ¡±


    ¡® They¡¯re getting on my nerves. ¡®


    Mirage thought to herself. This whole thing was simply ridiculous in every possible way. She didn¡¯t want to go shopping and ended up being caught into an annoying drama with annoying people. She¡¯s being branded as a shoplifter, used of forgery and now a swindler as they thought she was using someone else¡¯s card.


    ¡® Can¡¯t this situation get a little more awful? ¡®


    Mirage sighed when she saw Chloe outside of the shop talking seriously on her phone.


    ¡® She¡¯s the reason why I¡¯m in this mess and she¡¯s busy having a chit chat right now. Great. ¡®


    And the people in the shop keep eyeing her and exchangingments about her situation.


    ¡± She doesn¡¯t bother at all, does she? ¡±


    ¡± Is the card really hers? ¡±


    ¡± Why isn¡¯t she saying anything? ¡±


    ¡± Maybe she picked it up somewhere? ¡±


    ¡± What¡¯s your name miss? ¡±


    Mr. Fuller asked.


    ¡± Why don¡¯t you just check if the card if it¡¯s fake or what? If it¡¯s mine or not? Or just call the owner of Equinox? That will surely sort things out faster. ¡±


    Mirage saidzily as she sat down on the stool resting around the sides of one of the pirs of the shop, a few steps away from the  watches disy where they are. The other staff kept staring at them but she paid them no attention.


    She heard the manager scoff and Lydia rolled her eyes. She already feels stressed enough with all thesements surrounding her. And Mr. Fuller is making it worse by questioning her actions without listening to any of what she had said.


    ¡± Do you really think you¡¯re being funny? ¡±


    She gave him another sarcastic re, causing him to chuckle bitterly. He looked at the card in his hand.


    ¡± Do you think we wouldn¡¯t find out that this is a counterfeit? ¡±


    Mirage just wanted to disappear. She doesn¡¯t really think he would drag this on. She doesn¡¯t want to waste her time but she doesn¡¯t want to talk either. She doesn¡¯t really mind whatever they think about her right now, she just wants to go home but she doesn¡¯t wanted to exin everything herself.


    ¡® They will definitely say I¡¯m a psycho if I told them I¡¯m one of the owners of Equinox, right? And they¡¯ll just start to bber and spew nonsense some more ¡®


    ¡± That¡¯s why I¡¯m telling you to check it out. There¡¯s a serial number in every card and all you gotta do is check that out on your system. And the fastest and easiest way is to call your CEO to save us from all this drama. Can¡¯t you just do that? ¡±


    Mirage said, sounding really tired and annoyed this time. She could also drag Chloe inside and let her clear everything out so they could go home already but she¡¯s still on her damn phone.


    ¡® She actually has the guts to wave at me from outside? She¡¯s really impossible! ¡®


    ¡± You really have the audacity to suggest that we call the owner of this whole shopping center? ¡± Lydia said fuming.


    ¡± She¡¯s unbelievably a good actress, isn¡¯t she? ¡± Rob Fuller said, also getting annoyed.


    Mirage rolls her eyes.


    ¡® How dumb are they? Are they for real? ¡®


    ¡± Listen, I don¡¯t care about what you two think about me. Just check out the card. End of story. ¡±Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Mirage said while putting her arms crossed over her chest in an attempt to hide her anger and her annoyance.


    ¡± You are extremely beyond understanding and it¡¯s frustrating to deal with you. ¡±


    Lydia said ring at her.


    ¡± Oh yeah? And why is that? ¡±


    Mirage questioned her.


    ¡± The VVIP card was not just given to anyone, you see? And it was limited to 100 persons only. Just that handful of people can get their hands on Equinox VVIP cards. And the Esquibels have the 0000 serial numbers on their cards as they own this whole shopping center. They are also the owner of this shop, Solstice, the biggest shop inside Equinox. ¡±


    ¡® I already know about that. ¡®


    Mirage thought to herself. That¡¯s why she¡¯s been telling him to call the CEO to make things faster but he was so stubborn.


    ¡± And everyone, not just in Equinox but in the whole country and even in other countries, knew about the Esquibels. So are you saying you¡¯re one of them for having the 0000 serial number in your card? ¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking you to call Nicolo right now. ¡±


    Mirage said calmly. This is the reason she¡¯s not telling them who she is. They don¡¯t know anything about her. They¡¯ll just think she¡¯s crazy. And Chloe¡¯s not helping either. She was actually surprised that nobody recognized her earlier when she threw her card.


    ¡® Ah, right. They probably thought that Chloe¡¯s still in Paris. ¡®


    Maybe everyone here thought that she¡¯s just pretending. Rob didn¡¯t move his gaze from Mirage. His face showed that he wasn¡¯t sure if he should believe her or not but she was being very convincing and he wanted to listen to her words.


    ¡± You¡¯re really shameless, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Lydia said.


    ¡± Stop it, Ms. Lydia. ¡± Rob said. He¡¯s starting to feel nervous seeing how calm Mirage was.


    ¡® Just who the hell she is? If she¡¯s really rted to them then I¡¯m doomed! ¡®


    And then the door of the office suddenly opens. Everyone¡¯s eyes turned to look at the man who suddenly appeared.


    ¡± Mr. Fuller, what¡¯s the- ¡±


    Cris Adams wasn¡¯t able to finish his sentence when his eyes caught Mirage.


    Mirage sighed and pointed her head inside the office. Adams understands her gesture and hurriedly goes back inside the office and not a minuteter, Nicolo walks out from the office.

 Chapter 29 The Esquibels

    Nicolo walked out of the office in his tailored pinstripe gray suit, exuding authority, confidence, and prestige. Everyone was taken aback when they saw his stunning face, which appears to be sculpted to perfection, but no one dared to approach him. After they had recovered from their surprise, the Solstice staff greeted him. He exhaled andbed his dark brown hair with his free hand while the other was in his pocket as his dark brown eyes scanned the people around him and came to a halt when they met Mirage¡¯s.


    She was sitting there, looking bored.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± he asks in a soft voice that contrasts with the rest of his demeanor as he walks towards her andes to a halt in front of her.


    Mirage shakes her head and yawns before saying, ¡°Nothing. I was just waiting for her,¡± as she points her head in the direction of Chloe.


    Nicole nods slightly and looks outside, where he sees Chloe waving to them while still talking on her phone. He smiles as he looks back at Mirage.


    ¡± So, what do you want to do now?¡±


    Mirage simply shrugs and nods to Lydia and Rob, who are perplexed. They looked like they¡¯d been bitten by a snake.


    Nicolo cast a quick nce at the two and then returned his attention to Mirage.


    ¡± You two can get lost, you¡¯re fired.¡±


    Mirage rolled her eyes and muttered, ¡°Tch.¡± Nicolo looked at her questioningly, he mouthed ¡°What?¡±


    ¡± Mr. Esquibel, there appears to be a misunderstanding,¡± Rob Fuller stammered.


    ¡± Mr. Esquibel, I¡¯m sorry; I really didn¡¯t know who she was,¡± Lydia apologized, her face looking pitiful and awful. She was about to burst into tears.


    ¡°So? Do you only serve people you know?¡±


    Nicolo said in a grim tone that made Lydia and Rob look at each other anxiously.


    ¡°Everyone who walks through that door is our customer. Regardless of whether theyter turned out to be a shoplifter or a terrorist. If in doubt, you can ask security to keep an eye on them so they can arrest them if your doubts are confirmed to be right. ¡±


    Nicolo said coldly and continued.


    ¡°We offer our utmost respect and service to those whoe here. We provide them with everything they need or whatever they want. Whether they had a lot of money or no money at all that they just wanted to visit here. Whether they were adorned with expensive clothing and jewelry or simply wore shirts and pants. Whether everyone knew them or they were just ordinary individuals. We will serve them equally. That¡¯s our job. ¡±


    Nicolo finished looking at everyone sternly.


    Rob cleared his throat before speaking again.


    ¡± Mr. Esquibel, please forgive our actions. We never meant to discriminate or mistreat anyone. It¡¯s just¡­ we thought she¡¯s someone who¡¯s using your name. We didn¡¯t realize it¡¯s actually true! We hope we haven¡¯t offended you. ¡±


    Nicolo shook his head.


    ¡± You could simply ask me. I¡¯m actually just inside the office doing some random visit and you know it. That would clear your doubt and sort everything out. ¡±


    ¡± But that¡¯s just too much. You¡¯re the boss and we don¡¯t want to bother you. ¡± Lydia reasoned.


    Nicolo sighs. He¡¯s annoyed. He hates people who disrespect or belittle anyone whatever the reason is and he hates them more because it turned out that it is someone he cares so much for.


    Mirage stood up and stand beside Nicolo.


    ¡± Let¡¯s go. I¡¯m hungry. ¡±


    ¡± Are you done, Mir? Where¡¯s the clothes you want? Hey, Nick! What¡¯s up? ¡±


    Chloe appears beside Mirage. She¡¯s smiling as if she knew everything has ended. Mirage gives her a re. And Nicolo just sighed.


    ¡± Are you done talking nonstop on your phone? I can wait forever, you know. ¡± Mirage said, full of sarcasm.


    Everyone there suddenly recognized Chloe.


    ¡± That¡¯s Chloe Schmidt ¨C Williams, right? ¡±


    ¡± She¡¯s supposed to be in Paris! ¡±


    ¡± She¡¯s as gorgeous as ever! ¡±


    ¡± Why didn¡¯t we recognize her earlier? ¡±


    ¡± I don¡¯t know, maybe because her hair was different and it¡¯s back to its original color? ¡±


    ¡± Don¡¯t you see Ms. Schmidt with her? ¡± Rob whispered to Lydia.


    ¡± She¡¯s the one who took the card from her pocket and put it on the disy. But I didn¡¯t recognize her either. ¡± Lydia said, totally embarrassed. Rob sighed and said ¡± We¡¯re doomed! ¡±


    ¡± So did you fire them already, Nick? ¡± Chloe said ring at Lydia who bows her head quickly. She doesn¡¯t forget how arrogant she was at Mirage earlier. If it wasn¡¯t just an important call, she will be the one who taught them a lesson. And also, she¡¯s actually curious of how Mirage would handle the situation herself.


    ¡± Yeah. ¡± Nicolo simply said.


    ¡± That¡¯s all? You don¡¯t call Attorney Fitzgerald to file a case? ¡±


    Rob and Lydia¡¯s eyes widened and looked horrified. She finally bursts into tears.


    ¡± Please, please, please! No! I don¡¯t want to go to jail! ¡± Lydia said as she hurriedly went in front of the Esquibels and begged on her knees. While Rob looked like he was going to faint.


    Cris Adams who¡¯s standing quietly at the office door scratches the back of his neck.


    ¡® No one messed with the Esquibels. ¡®


    Adams was with thepany as soon as he graduated college. He was an orphan and a schr of the WLE Foundation, founded by Don Augustus¡¯ wife. He was forever grateful and he promised to himself that he would serve their family as long as he lives.


    He was Nicolo¡¯s assistant, secretary, driver and bodyguard when Nicolo started to learn and took over  thepany¡¯s business management and operation.


    Nicolo was strict. He had a sharp temper and rarely showed mercy when he¡¯s mad. His temper is short term, but deadly if not handled properly. He has no tolerance against being disrespectful. He has a strong protective instinct and won¡¯t tolerate anything that hurts someone in theirpany, especially his family members.


    Adams always respected that. Because he experienced it himself.


    As a first time assistant, Cris Adams was very nervous. He was terrified of making a mistake and losing his job because of being dim witted. He was constantly worried about what kind of person Nicolo Esquibel is. He had heard rumors of Nicolo having a bad personality which he eventually found out to be not true. In fact, he¡¯s a nice guy. He was surprised by how much Nicolo cares for their employees. Even though he was harsh at times. He just doesn¡¯t want a repeated mistake and those who abused their powers. He would definitely make them suffer endlessly. He¡¯s caring and ruthless at the same time.


    ¡± What do you want to do with them? ¡±


    Nicolo asked Mirage who still looked unbothered by everything that¡¯s happening around them.


    Mirage sighed before answering.


    ¡± There¡¯s no need for awyer. Just suspend them or demote them so they could learn their lessons. ¡±


    And she walked out of Solstice leaving Nicolo and Chloe behind who shared a thrift and knowing smile with each other and they both shook their heads.


    ¡® She looks indifferent but is softhearted ¡®

 Chapter 30 Shopping Galore

    Nicolo sighs as he looks at Mirage waiting outside Solstice.


    ¡± Adams. ¡±


    ¡± Yes, Sir? ¡±


    ¡± You heard her. I¡¯m leaving, you clean those trash. ¡±


    ¡± I understand, Sir Nick. ¡±


    ¡± You¡¯re gonna let them all go, Nick? ¡± Chloe said, surprised.


    ¡± That¡¯s what she wanted. Let¡¯s go. She¡¯s starving. ¡±


    ¡± But she didn¡¯t buy anything at all! ¡±


    Nicolo wiped his face with his hand out of frustration. He can¡¯t really understand this woman.


    ¡± You decide what to buy for her. ¡±


    ¡± Really? Alright! ¡± Chloe said beaming.


    ¡± Just make it quick, she¡¯s already pissed. ¡±


    ¡± Just go. I can handle this. ¡±


    Nicolo turned around and went to Mirage while he slowly shook his head.


    ¡± Okay. ¡±


    Chloe pped and called the attention of Solstice¡¯s staff.


    ¡± Please, listen. I want you to wrap those 4 racks of new arrivals. The dresses, blouses, skirts, shorts and pants. ¡±


    Those racks at the center of the store that hold at least 30 pieces each and are worth at least a thousand dors per item. The staff and the customers around were all dumbstruck. Their mouths hung open and no one could dare move on their ces. They just started to move when Chloe continues to point here and there, proving that she¡¯s dead serious about her orders.


    ¡± One of each of those bags on that shelf. ¡±


    She pointed at the left shelf disy of bags that holds about 2 dozen pieces.


    ¡± A dozen shoes, a dozen sandals and a dozen slippers. ¡±


    And she pointed at the disy of limited edition footwears.


    ¡± What else? Ah, essories! ¡±


    And Chloe went over the disy of essories leaving Lydia still on her knees all by herself. Rob Fuller went over to her and helped her stand up and they both went to the corner. The Solstice¡¯s staff were all rattled by all the orders Chloe is making. They¡¯ve been going out and about the stockroom to fulfill Chloe¡¯s orders.


    Cris Adams can¡¯t help but shake his head and smile at themotion.


    ¡® Poor salesdies¡­ ¡®


    ¡± I want all of this. ¡±


    She pointed out on the disy that holds at least 10 sets of ne, earrings and bracelet made of diamonds, pearls, gold and other precious stones such as emerald, jade and rubies.


    ¡± And all of this. ¡±


    She pointed to the disy of different designs of rings. There were at least less than 2 dozen.


    ¡± And this watches she looked at earlier. ¡±


    She pointed out the two ss disys of watches that hold 20 pieces each disy. And then she picked up Mirage¡¯s Equinox Card on top of the ss disy.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡± I¡¯ll take this and give it to her. ¡±


    And she slipped it on her bag and pulled out another card, a ck one.


    ¡± I¡¯ll pay for all of it using this. ¡±


    And she handed it to Cris Adams.


    ¡± You¡¯re not going to use your EC, Miss Chloe? ¡±


    Adams asked about Chloe¡¯s own Equinox Card.


    ¡± Nah. I have my own money, and this is for Mir so I¡¯m d to pay for all of it. I¡¯m the one who dragged her here anyway. ¡± Chloe smiles.


    ¡± I¡¯ll text you the pin. ¡±


    She winked at Adams and left. Adams smiles at the sight of the three figures walking away.


    ¡± Mr. Fuller, Ms. Lydia. See you at the office. ¡±


    He said to the two whose mouths are wide open watching the employees of Solstice packing endlessly.


    ¡± Please let me know when you¡¯re done packing all Ms. Chloe¡¯s orders. Thanks. ¡±


    He said to the busy staff and then he walked into the office followed by the two offenders. He sits on the single couch and the two slumped shoulders soon to be an ex- employee of Solstice main branch sat on the long couch on his right. Their heads bowed down, unable to look him in the eye.


    ¡® You¡¯re actually saved by Ms. Mirage whom you both ridiculed. If it¡¯s just Sir Nick? Ha! I don¡¯t know where the dumpsters you will be picked up. ¡®


    ¡± So, as you¡¯ve heard, no one¡¯s going to be in prison. ¡±


    Lydia and Rob let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡± But¡­ You¡¯re also not going to work here anymore. ¡±


    And they both sadly nod their head. No one dares to utter a single word. Cris Adams, though seen always smiling and seems approachable enough was also someone whom every employee dared not to mess with. Nicolo makes it clear that anyone who messes with Adams will face harsh consequences.


    So, everyone has learned to keep their mouths shut and never provoke him ever.


    ¡± So, you have one week of time to pack all your things and head to Sheridan. You¡¯ll be working there from now on. Now get out. ¡±


    The two were grateful enough that they weren¡¯t fired. They wouldn¡¯t get any other jobs if the words get out that they offended an Esquibel. No one will dare ept them anymore. So even Sheridan was miles away from Equinox which was located at Helena, the capital of Montana, they¡¯re not one to disagree. At least they still have the means to earn money.


    With that the two walked out of the office. Cris Adams watches them walk out the door before making a call regarding their transfer to Solstice¡¯s branch at Aurora Shopping Center located at Sheridan.


    After the call, Cathy, the assistant manager knocked and entered the office. She looked disheveled and exhausted after organizing all of Chloe¡¯s purchases.


    ¡± Sir Cris, all the items Ms. Chloe orders are all packed and ready for shipment. ¡±


    Cris smiles at Cathy¡¯s enthusiasm even when she¡¯s all tired.


    ¡® She¡¯s getting better. ¡®


    ¡± Alright, thank you. ¡±


    The assistant nodded and smiled again. They walked out of the office and tons of boxes and paper bags were piled at the corner of the shop. Cris went to the cashier and swiped Chloe¡¯s ck card.


    ¡± Please ship all of it at Esquibel Mansion. And starting today, Ms. Cathy? ¡±


    Cathy nces up at Cris Adams while checking the long receipt.


    ¡± Yes, Sir Cris? Is there anything else? ¡±


    ¡± You¡¯re now the Solstice¡¯s main branch manager. Congrattions! ¡±


    Cathy¡¯s eyes widened in surprise and then she bowed and thanked him and all the employees that greeted her.


    ¡® Packing all these million dors worth of items pays off big time! ¡®


    ¡± Alright, thank you everyone! Let¡¯s prepare all of this to be shipped right away! Good job everyone! ¡±


    And they all happily carried out the new manager¡¯smand while Cris Adams left the store to find the Esquibels after he took care of Chloe¡¯s shopping galore.

 Chapter 31 Who I Am

    Leaving the incident at Solstice behind, Mirage decided to just go home.


    ¡± I thought you were starving? ¡± Chloe said while linking arms with Mirage who doesn¡¯t mind her at all.


    ¡± We can eat at home. ¡± Mirage said softly.


    ¡± Just tell the chef what you wanted to eat. ¡± Nicolo added calmly.


    ¡± Hmmm¡­ I crave¡­ Italian food. Ah! pasta! ¡± Chloe beamed happily. She¡¯s so childish at times. Mirage finds her adorable and sweet but then she remembers how she dragged her here and then leaves her alone, she quickly changes her mind.


    ¡® She¡¯s definitely a troublemaker ¡®


    They went home through Chloe¡¯s car. And they found Euphemia still fast asleep.


    ¡± See? She doesn¡¯t even know that you¡¯re gone for JUST 3 HOURS! ¡± Chloe said while rolling her eyes.


    ¡± Whatever. ¡± Mirage answered.


    Chloe gets the pasta that she craved for. They¡¯re in the middle of indulging the food when Dr. Travis walks through the door.


    ¡± Hey! That looks good. ¡± Travis greeted.


    ¡± Come on, son. Join us. ¡± Don Augustus asked the helper to prepare the dish for Travis.


    Travis nodded and sat down next to Chloe whom he gave a kiss on her cheek. And she was flustered.


    ¡® Now, that¡¯s a rare thing to see. ¡®


    Mirage thought.


    The dinner was pleasant with everyone chatting andughing together.


    After dinner, they decided to stay in the living room while drinking some tea. They talked about what happened at Solstice.


    ¡± So how did things end up? ¡± Dr. Travis asked as he sipped on his cup.


    ¡± She just let them go unscathed. How boring. ¡± Chloe said without even looking at him.


    Dr. Travis chuckled.


    ¡± It sounds like there¡¯s someone else who¡¯s more disappointed than you do, Mirage. ¡± He mumbled before taking another sip from his cup.


    ¡± You¡¯re only saying that because you weren¡¯t there. ¡± Nicolo suggested.


    ¡± Oh. You too, Nick? ¡± Dr. Travis can¡¯t help but to be surprised.


    ¡± You have no idea. ¡± Mirage muttered under her breath. But Dr. Travis heard that.


    Don Augustus scoffed.


    ¡± If I was there, I¡¯d surely call the security to throw them out. Huh! How dare they! ¡±


    Mirage grimace. She could clearly sense the graveness underlying the old man¡¯s words. She could also sense the same thing about Nicolo¡¯s behavior earlier. He seems calm and rxed, he¡¯s even smiling.


    But she could tell that he¡¯s dangerously calm and rxed. And that he¡¯s dead serious even when he¡¯s smiling. He must have a hard time keeping it from her. If she would only believe what she sees rather than what she felt, she may have actually believed that Nicolo is a forgiving human.


    ¡± Move on, people. ¡±


    Mirage simply said as she sipped on her cup showing that she¡¯spletely unfazed.


    ¡± Oh,e on, Mir. You¡¯re just trying to act tough but you¡¯re really soft. ¡± Chloe stated matter of fact


    Mirage couldn¡¯t deny that her face turned red when she realized that they saw right through her. But she didn¡¯t say anything about that and continued drinking her cup.


    Dr. Travis gave a sigh. He took onest nce at Nicolo before focusing back at Mirage.


    ¡± Alright! So what do you n to do now? ¡±


    Nicolo and the old man shared a look before giving each other a slight nod and looked straight at Dr. Travis.


    ¡± About what? ¡± Mirage said, sounding indifferent.


    ¡± Your identity, of course. ¡± Dr. Travis answered monotonously.


    Mirage paused. She never really has given thought about it. But thinking back, she really needs to make some things straightened out.


    The tragedy happened in the middle of August. She¡¯s been out for a week. Then when she woke  up, she had the whole month of September at the hospital and the whole October at the mansion. Then the mishap happened again and she spent the whole November in aatose state. Now it¡¯s December and she still doesn¡¯t have a solid identity since she can¡¯t remember. She¡¯s trying to be as normal as possible but there were really times that she would be caught thinking about who she really is. Afraid that she might fall into an endless unconsciousness, she¡¯s trying hard not to think of anything at all about her and she just diverted all her attention to Euphemia.


    But just like how the sun sets every afternoon, she would constantly end her day with the question¡­


    ` Who am I? `


    Her name is Mirage. But who Mirage really is?


    She¡¯s supposed to be the dead daughter of Alfonse and Miranda.


    She¡¯s the granddaughter of the business tycoon Augustus Esquibel.


    She¡¯s the cousin of Nicolo and Travis.


    She¡¯s the mother of Euphemia.


    She¡¯s the wife of¡­.?


    And her head will start to throb that will cause her to panic inside. She will try everything to forget that thought over again. To save herself.


    She sighed after a long time of contemting.


    ¡± I want to know everything about me before the tragedy¡­ except, of course, anything about my husband. ¡±


    Everyone heaved a deep sigh. Unable to hide their sadness and frustration towards the unfair situation.


    ¡± Your name is Belle. Arabelle Vernon. ¡±


    Nicolo said while carefully looking at Mirage¡¯s face to analyze her reactions.


    ¡± Doesn¡¯t it ring a bell? ¡±


    ¡± Nah. ¡±


    Nicolo cleared his throat before continuing.


    ¡± You have a small boutique after you resigned from being a coordinator of a small clothingpany. ¡±


    ¡± Clothing line? But why don¡¯t I like shopping at all? ¡± Miragemented.


    Nicolo just shrugged and continued.


    ¡± You don¡¯t have a college diploma because you work a lot of part time to help your foster Mom and sister¡­ ¡±


    There¡¯s nothing about her foster mom and sister that came through her senses. Instead there¡¯s a different idea that popped out inside her. Since she¡¯s a heiress, she needs to learn a lot about everything.


    ¡± Can I go to college? ¡±


    Don Augustus smiles widely.


    ¡± Of course! Of course! Whatever you wanted my dear. ¡±


    Mirage smiles back at him.


    ¡± Thanks Grandpa. ¡±


    ¡± That¡¯s nothing, my dear. Anything for you. ¡±


    ¡± I¡¯ll set everything up, don¡¯t worry. ¡± Nicolo said and he sipped thest gulp from his tea cup.


    ¡± Send me the schedule when you¡¯re done, Nick. I¡¯ll sync my  own schedule so I can check up on her. The lessons may have stressed her. ¡± Dr. Travis said thest part jokingly.


    Mirage couldn¡¯t help herself. She chuckled. The others startedughing, too.


    It felt¡­ nice tough.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    It felt nice to smile.


    It feels nice to be around people who genuinely care about you.


    She felt at home.


    She felt¡­ happy.

 Chapter 32 Coincidence

    Man, Philippines


    Christmas and New Year passed in a blink of an eye. Elven didn¡¯t have time to celebrate as he was too upied with lots of work as the General Manager of MAZE Hardware. The new name of thepany he¡¯s working with.


    The one that Nicolo bought under Mirage¡¯s name.


    He was busy going around to check and supervise the stand-alone stores and the stores inside MZ Supermalls, the chain of malls where Esquibels were one of the major shareholders and they own 5 supermalls at the least throughout Man and nearby provinces.


    All sessfully transferred to Mirage¡¯s name.


    He¡¯s schedule was always so hectic that Nicolo asked Attorney Mendez to hire an assistant for Elven.


    ¡± Good morning, Mr. Sanford. ¡± Attorney Mendez greeted casually.


    Elven quickly nces up behind the tons of reports he was reading. He stood up startled upon seeing the smiling attorney in front of him. The attorney decided to give him a personal visit in his office at MAZE Hardware¡¯s main office located just above the main store.


    ¡± Attorney! I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t notice your presence. Please sit down. Can I get you something? Juice? Coffee? ¡±


    Elven was flustered. He¡¯s so preupied that he misses out on simple things.


    Attorney David Mendez chuckled.


    ¡± You¡¯re so absorbed in your work that you didn¡¯t hear me knock so I decided to just go in. Sit down and breathe, man. You¡¯re overdoing it. ¡± David said with a smile.


    They sat down on the couch in front of Elven¡¯s table facing each other.


    ¡± Well, I¡¯m just doing my job. ¡± Elven smiles thriftly.


    ¡± You¡¯re doing an outstanding job. You really deserve the position. Why don¡¯t we get you an assistant? To lessen your work load a bit. ¡± David rmended.


    Elven touches the back of his neck. He¡¯s notfortable letting someone else handle things he could do alone. But, he also knows that he can¡¯t do everything all by himself so maybe this would make him feel a little less stressed? His mind has been a mess ever since the incident.


    ¡± And so that I don¡¯t need to let you make coffee for me, I guess? ¡± David added humorously.


    Elven smiled. He thought long and hard about it until he finally nodded.


    ¡± Let¡¯s do that, attorney. I¡¯m not too confident about how I make coffee. ¡± Elven answered jestingly.


    Attorney Davidughed.


    ¡± I¡¯ll ask the HR to do the hiring process. Is there anything you want in particr? ¡± David asked while holding out his phone ready to make a call.


    Elven thought carefully about what he wanted. He wants someone who can be efficient but also carefree at the same time, he doesn¡¯t want to sound like he needs to work too much but could still get the work done. If that makes sense?


    ¡± Well, if it¡¯s possible, please hire one that could easily learn and follow. Someone who will work with or without supervision. ¡±


    ¡± Okay then. That¡¯s a given. We¡¯ll see about hiring a person for you next week. ¡± David replied as he put his phone away after making a call.


    They talked for a while longer before both of them had to go and get their respective jobs done.


    ¨C


    A week has passed and today¡¯s the final interview for the assistant position. Elven¡¯s gonna facilitate the interview. There were a total of 5 individuals who passed the screening.


    They all looked very familiar to Elven as he looked at their resumes. Like he saw them somewhere before. He tried hard to recall the faces but nothing came out of his head. But, a somewhat familiar name piqued his interest.


    Josh Lambert.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    The ship¡¯s crew that saves him. He smiles sadly. But then he asked the receptionist to call for Josh.


    The young man entered his office awkwardly. He looks quite ufortable.


    Elven cleared his throat.


    ¡± Hey Josh, right? I¡¯m the General Manager of the MAZE Hardware.¡±


    Josh raised his head upon hearing his voice. He looks confused.


    ¡± Yes¡­ Sir¡­ Elven? ¡± Josh said hesitantly. Then his face lightened up. ¡± Oh! What a pleasant surprise! ¡± He eximed.


    Elven smiles warmly now.


    ¡± I¡¯m looking for an assistant and we have a lot of applicants, you¡¯re one of the 5 professionals who passed our screening. But, for someone who saves my life, would you like to be my assistant?¡± Elven asked calmly.


    Josh¡¯s eyes widened slightly, he didn¡¯t say anything but nodded vigorously in response.


    ¡± Thank you. It means a lot to me that you epted. Now we¡¯ll talk about the details about our work rtionship. You¡¯ll have the responsibility of being my assistant and taking care of my daily duties and schedule. Will this be alright?¡± Elven exined.


    ¡± Yes, Sir! ¡± Josh answered excitedly.


    Elven made a call to the Human Resources Department to advise them that he already hired an assistant. The other applicants were informed ordingly.


    It seems like Josh already knows what he likes so that shouldn¡¯t be a problem. Elven continued his conversation with Josh. About his experience from his former works, his skills and his family situation. Everything about Josh is just as normal.


    ¡± Josh, I hope you¡¯ll like it here. ¡± Elven said with the orientationing to its end.


    ¡± I¡¯m sure I will, Sir! ¡± Josh confirmed.


    He sounded like he couldn¡¯t wait to start working.


    He thanked Elven once more for letting him be part of such a hugepany.


    Elven was d that he managed to meet Josh again and hired such a talented person. He didn¡¯t know that he needed help before but now, he¡¯s beyond happy. With a big smile adorning their faces, they walked out of Elven¡¯s office and made a short tour around thepany and the main store.


    ¨C


    The next day, after studying and signing a contract, the day was spent with Josh learning his job as Elven¡¯s assistant. Elven gave him a tour to some of the shops within Man. Josh learned a lot of useful information and made great progress with the job in a short time.


    Elven noticed that Josh is pretty good at handling different tasks given to him. The fact that Josh took him seriously as a boss and treated him appropriately, despite knowing each other outside thepany and of course, because of that incident. Elven genuinely appreciated the trust and respect he had earned from Josh.


    When night fell, Elven suggested that they eat out before going home to celebrate Josh¡¯s first day at work. Josh agreed immediately. They decided to settle on the nearest resto they could find. Josh followed Elven to the restaurant across the street.


    While eating, Josh kept asking questions, mostly rted to work and thepany.


    ¡± Have you met the new CEO of thepany, Sir? ¡± Josh asks curiously.


    Elven takes a sip of his wine.


    ¡± No, not yet. I only met her legal representative, Attorney Mendez. ¡± Elven said honestly.


    ¡± Attorney Mendez? As in Attorney David Mendez of LE Firm? ¡± Josh said in disbelief.


    Elven just hummed and nodded.


    ¡± Woah. That¡¯s awesome! Maybe the CEO is a big shot, eh? She has the most expensive and greatestwyer ever! ¡± Josh said, being extremely in awe.


    Elven smiles.


    ¡± I guess so, she¡¯s in the United States ording to Attorney Mendez. ¡±


    ¡± Do you know her name, Sir? ¡±


    Elven nodded.


    ¡± Sort of. I read her name on some of the documents in the office. ¡±


    ¡± So, what is it? ¡±


    ¡± Mirage. Mirage Esquibel. ¡°

 Chapter 33 Month of June

    It¡¯s been a month since Mirage decided to enter college. She¡¯s been busy preparing for her college admission exam and everyone is showing support that sometimes ticks her off.


    ¡± I am fine. ¡±


    ¡± My wound won¡¯t open if I read for an hour or so. ¡±


    ¡± Stop being overly dramatic! ¡±


    Those were her lines. But she gets tired of telling them off that she just red at them whenever they tried to ask her if she¡¯s okay, at least hundreds or thousands of times a day.


    ¡® Why do they have to be so annoyingly caring? ¡®


    She thought smiling inside but still slightly annoyed.


    And even though she¡¯s busy with studying and all, she still makes it a point to spend time and look after her daughter, Euphemia. She¡¯s her everything, after all.


    Her grandpa is always there, giving her advice and Chloees by often, cheering her up. Nicolo is always making sure she eats properly and exining some lessons she¡¯s having a hard time to figure out. And her personal doctor, Travis, takes care of her wounds that are almostpletely healed.


    They all rmended good universities for her to attend and they also warned her about some universities that she doesn¡¯t want to get into.


    Her school records from the Philippines were all taken care of by Attorney David Mendez. They were all changed from Arabelle Vernon to Mirage discreetly.


    So yeah, some things have been straightened out and  there¡¯s still some things she needs to worry about, but she knows she can handle it. She will survive college and get her diploma.


    In the end, she decided to go to Fulham University and eventually passed the admission. A low-profiled college but with high academic standards, which has a lot of students from different countries and backgrounds. It also has some very diverse professors. And it¡¯s just an hour drive from the mansion so she didn¡¯t have to stay in the dormitory. She doesn¡¯t have to be separated from her baby girl for too long.


    That¡¯s what she always wanted. To take care of her and to be with her always.


    Euphemia was already sleeping peacefully while hugging a soft toy. She smiled when she saw her peaceful expression, stroking her hair gently, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath. Her skin was paler than before and it looked like marble in the sun. Her beautiful brown locks looked like they werebed with some product that made them glossy, even though they¡¯re already that way. Euphemia really looked like a delicate porcin doll.


    Mirage sighed happily, caressing her little cheeks lovingly and kissing them one by one before she drifted in her own slumber.


    ¡ª


    It¡¯s the middle of the month of June and Mirage only got a month before the ss started. She will enter college in the Fall semester. Making a lot of time for studying and reviewing lessons that thankfully she doesn¡¯t forget. Her lost memories were all about herself and those whom she¡¯s been with.


    She woke up earlier than usual. And she can¡¯t exin how empty, sad and painful she¡¯s feeling at the same time. It¡¯s not her head¡­ it¡¯s something inside her chest.


    It hurts to think about the things that happened to her and it makes her feel like there¡¯s something ripped out of her body. There seems like a hole that keeps getting bigger somewhere inside her. Thinking about it doesn¡¯t make her head hurt, it¡¯s her heart that is suffering an excruciating pain she couldn¡¯t exin.


    There are many questions in her mind but every time she starts thinking about it, she stops herself at once. Afraid of the consequences it might bring.


    But as the day passes and as she slowly remembers the simple things that she likes and dislikes, she starts to gain courage and decides to face the questions that have been haunting her one by one. But she¡¯s taking precautions, not wanting to overdo it or make a stupid mistake. But she remembered nothing.


    Mirage took a deep breath to calm herself down. She got out of the bed and she happened to look at her reflection in the mirror. The person she is now, isn¡¯t the one she was before. There¡¯s a lot of changes, physically and emotionally. She¡¯s somehow certain of it.


    Wearing her pair of pajamas, she went out to her balcony and stared at nowhere. She¡¯s feeling extremely sad beyond something she can¡¯t figure out. She¡¯s not being her usual self. She¡¯s empty, if she could ever be emptier than she is now without her memory.


    She takes another deep breath. Then she closes her eyes and tries to calm her breathing down. But she can¡¯t. Not even the wind is helping her to rx. Instead, it only brings more pain to her heart.


    It felt like she was being stabbed in the middle again and again.


    Mirage knew this wasn¡¯t right. She can¡¯t stand the way she feels. It hurts and she doesn¡¯t fvcking know why.


    She doesn¡¯t like how she feels, to feel so scared? of what? How she couldn¡¯t control her emotions. This is helplessness. This is making her insane.


    Nicolo entered her room after knocking a few times without getting an answer. Euphemia is in his arms again, a little bit sleepy. He visits her in her own room and she wakes up when she feels his Uncle Nicolo¡¯s presence.


    Nicolo was surprised to see her silhouette outside. He thought she was still asleep.


    ¡± Hey¡­ ¡±


    He softly called out. Not the usual head start of their bickering sessions. He noticed there¡¯s something off.


    She doesn¡¯t budge. She doesn¡¯t realize he was there with the baby.


    ¡± Mommy¡­ ¡±


    Euphemia sleepily calls out. Mirage was startled. She quickly turned around and found Euphy with Nicolo standing behind her. The way she reacts seems like she was dragged back to reality.


    ¡± H-hey. ¡±


    Mirage said absentmindedly.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡± What¡¯s wrong? ¡±


    Nicolo said straightforwardly. Mirage shook her head.


    ¡± Nothing. Really. ¡±


    ¡± You want me to call Travis? ¡±


    ¡± No.¡± She quickly responded. ¡± It¡¯s not necessary. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just a little¡­ ¡±


    She can¡¯t find the right word. She doesn¡¯t even know what¡¯s going on with her.


    ¡± Can you go out with Euphemia today? ¡±


    This caught Nicolo by surprise.


    ¡± Sure. ¡±


    He answered. Not asking anymore questions.


    ¡± Thanks. ¡±


    Mirage said, still a little bit dazed.


    With the assistance of Rosita, the nanny, Mirage prepared everything Euphemia needed. Nappies, water, feeding bottle, milk, change of clothes and essentials were slid inside the bag. Rosita was also asked to apany Nicolo and Euphemia today.


    ¡± Are you sure you¡¯re alright? ¡±


    ¡± Yeah, don¡¯t mind me and enjoy your day with her. ¡± and then she kissed her baby goodbye and watched them drive away.


    They were long gone when she decided to go back inside the mansion and locked herself up in her room.

 Chapter 34 Emotions

    As soon as his car driven by Cris Adams leaves the Esquibel mansion, Nicolo calls Agatha, a maid servant.


    ¡± Call me immediately when something happens. Thank you. ¡±


    He breathed out exasperately after the call. Then he dialed again.


    ¡± What¡¯s up? ¡±


    ¡± Something¡¯s off with her. ¡±


    ¡± Mirage? Tell me. ¡±


    ¡± She¡¯s¡­ not herself. She¡¯s acting strange. She¡¯s unusually quiet.  I¡¯m sure something is wrong but she¡¯s not willing to tell me what it is. She even asked me to go out with Euphy today. ¡±


    And Nicolo nces at the rearview mirror to look at Adams who¡¯s also busy making calls using a hands free device so he could still drive with caution. He¡¯s cancelling all their scheduled meetings for today.


    ¡± I¡¯lle right away to check up on her. I¡¯ll call youter. Take care. ¡±


    ¡± Alright, thanks. ¡±


    Nicolo ended the call with Travis. He looked at Euphemia who was enjoying the view outside the car window. She looked so happy. Her eyes are sparkling with amazement. Unlike the sadness that reflects through Mirage¡¯s eyes he has seen earlier. He looked outside and searched his head for answers on why she¡¯s being that way all of a sudden.


    ¡ª


    Travis arrived at the mansion. Fortunately, it¡¯s his day off today. Agatha is already waiting for him at the door.


    ¡± Where is she? ¡± he asked the maid right away.


    ¡± She locked herself up in her room, Doctor. ¡±


    Travis didn¡¯t say anything and hurriedly went upstairs, Agatha followed him. He breathed out when he reached the door of Mirage¡¯s room. He put his hands on his waist and hesitated for a while. He¡¯s trying to figure out what¡¯s going on inside. There¡¯s no movement at all.


    ¡± Mir? ¡± Travis called her out after he knocked softly.


    The door opened immediately to his surprise.


    ¡± Yes? ¡±


    He looked at her. She averted his eyes and looked sideways.


    ¡± Is there something wrong? Are you feeling okay? ¡±


    ¡± Yeah. Sorry for worrying you and Nico. Please, don¡¯t tell Gramps about this. I¡¯m really fine, it¡¯s just that¡­ ¡±


    She was lost for words.


    ¡± Whatever. I¡¯m really fine, I¡¯m not hurt anywhere. Just¡­ let me be¡­ at least for now. ¡±


    Travis couldn¡¯t answer. He¡¯s lost for words, too. He doesn¡¯t want to tell the old man either. Don Augustus was out of town on a vacation with some of his friends and having fun right now. They don¡¯t want to ruin that. Because their grandfather doesn¡¯t have a decent rest for years. They want him to unwind even for a while, now that he¡¯s getting older.


    After some seconds she sighed heavily.


    ¡± Please stop staring at me. Can we please forget this whole thing? We can just talk about this some other day. I promise, I won¡¯t do anything stupid¡­


    Just leave me alone. ¡±


    Mirage¡¯s voice sounded desperate. It made Travis¡¯ heart ache a bit for unknown reasons.


    But it¡¯s hard to leave her alone when she¡¯s behaving like this. She seems genuinely sad. So much that he feels like she¡¯s about to cry and she would drown herself in tears as soon as he walked away. But he knows it¡¯s not appropriate to push her more and make her talk when she obviously doesn¡¯t want to. And he¡¯s worried that would just make things worse for her even more.


    ¡± Okay, Mir. If that¡¯s what you want then. Let¡¯s discuss this whenever you¡¯re ready. ¡±


    Travis said, giving in. Mirage sighed heavily.


    ¡± Thanks, Travis. ¡±


    ¡± Mir¡­ ¡±


    Mirage stopped from closing the door and looked at Travis.


    ¡± Don¡¯t forget that we are all here for you. ¡±


    Mirage sadly smiles and closes the doorpletely. Travis bows down andb his hair with his both hands while staring at his feet in frustration. He can¡¯t do anything before and he still can¡¯t do anything for her now. He sighs once again then straightens himself and goes downstairs, he¡¯s going to inform Nicolo.


    ¡ª


    Mirage lies in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about anything and everything that has happened. After hearing Travis¡¯ knocking and calling outside her room, she knew that he and Nicolo were just concerned and worried sick about her. But she¡¯s really fine. If it¡¯s about her head injury, that is.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    She really can¡¯t understand why she¡¯s been like this all of a sudden. What¡¯s wrong with her?


    She stood up and walked straight to her bathroom. She slipped out of her clothes and stood under the shower.


    ¡® To whom am I trying to hide these tears? Myself? Maybe, I¡¯m losing my mind¡­ ¡®


    She slowly sat down and hugged her knees under the running water from the shower. She¡¯s been like that for an hour or so. She decided to get up when someone knocked outside her room. She wrapped herself with a bath robe. She opened the door slightly, it was Agatha with a tray of food.


    ¡± Dr. Travis asked me to bring this to you¡­ We informed him that you haven¡¯t eaten anything yet since you woke up. ¡± Agatha said awkwardly.


    Mir gave her a thrift smile and then took the tray.


    ¡± Thanks. ¡±


    And she closed the door again. She just put the tray on her coffee table. She doesn¡¯t have an appetite so she didn¡¯t even take at least one bite. She just took it so Travis and Nico would be a little less worried.


    She feels exhausted. A different kind. A type of exhaustion thates from knowing she will never get rid of her thoughts that keep running inside her head on repeat. The kind of exhaustion that makes her tired to the core and this overwhelming pain that is so hard to deal with.


    She just sat there on the carpeted floor beside her bed and stared into space for some time. She doesn¡¯t know how long she had been sitting there but she was surprised when she realized she fell asleep. She just woke up by a knock from the adjacent door.


    She looked at the clock and found out that it was already past 6 in the evening. She stood up and slowly walked towards the adjacent door of her and Euphemia¡¯s room. She opened it and it was Nicolo.


    ¡± I¡¯m fine, don¡¯t worry. I just woke up. How¡¯s your day? ¡±


    She answered his questioning stares before he actually had the time to voice it out.


    ¡± She¡¯s already sleeping in the car as we drive home. She enjoys ying with the other kids. She totally had fun today. ¡±


    Mirage smiles and walks towards the crib where Euphemia is sound asleep. Her baby looks happy. She bowed down and gave her a kiss on her head, carefully not to wake her up.


    ¡± Thank you, Nico. ¡±


    Mirage is full of sincerity as she turns around and faces Nicolo who¡¯s carefully eyeing and reading her every move. Nicolo simply nods. Acting cool as ever when deep inside he¡¯s still rummaging his brain for answers on why she¡¯s being like this.


    He was already ustomed to their daily bickering routine. He finds amusement whenever shees out with her weirdest retaliate. He loves her sarcasm. And he loves how warm her real personality is despite her acting distant, cold and unbothered towards everyone.


    Just like the way he is.


    ¡± Rosita, please sleep here with Euphemia tonight¡­ Thank you. ¡±


    And she left the room in an instant leaving Nicolo even more distressed.


    ¡® What¡¯s going on inside your head, Mirage? ¡®

 Chapter 35 Anniversary

    ¡® I couldn¡¯t take this anymore. ¡®


    Nicolo made up his mind. He will face Mirage head on and make her say whatever it is that she¡¯s been going through.


    Not knowing that Mirage, herself, doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s happening with her.


    He opened the adjacent door without knocking just to find out that Mirage¡¯s room is empty. He checked her closet and bathroom but she¡¯s nowhere to be found.


    His eyes wandered around the room and it fell on the coffee table. He walked towards it and lifted the cover of the tray. The food were untouched.


    ¡® And now what? ¡®


    Frustration, anxiety and worries were eating Nicolo away.


    He quickly go out of her room just to be nailed  on where he stands. He was surprised when he heard a faint sound of a piano. He even close his eyes to confirm that his ears weren¡¯t ying tricks on him. He knows where exactly the sound wasing.


    It sounded mncholic and emotional at the same time. He took onest look at his surroundings before he turned and headed towards the sound.


    When he finally arrived at the end of the hallway, he found the door of the vacant room open and he saw that Mirage had sat down right in front of the grand piano and was ying the same melody over and over again.


    The grand piano was originally ced at the foyer of the house but when his grandmother died, Don Augustus ordered it to be relocated on the vacant room at the end of the hallway on the second floor of the mansion. Away from everyone¡¯s sight.


    It seemed as though she¡¯spletely unaware or she doesn¡¯t mind who was behind her. Mirage¡¯s eyes were closed and she¡¯s lost all focus on what¡¯s around her. It might¡¯ve been how calm she looked or how much her expression is changing while doing so. The way the moonlight that passed through the window and reflected on her face wasn¡¯t helping her to stayposed. She seems like someone that has epted something and yet, she can¡¯t decide whether to embrace it or run away from it.


    She still can¡¯t figure out what the hell is going on with her.


    Nicolo didn¡¯t want her to feel alone. Without making any noise, he slowly approached the woman. He sat next to her facing the other direction, he wasn¡¯t too sure of what he should do.


    Mirage¡¯s hand stopped ying and her breathing became heavy. When she realised that someone else is with her, she immediately got up from the chair and turned around to face Nicolo. Her eyes were filled with sadness and tears that she tried to keep back.


    Nicolo stood up and meet her eyes. They were just staring at each other. Unmoving.


    Then in a snap, Mirage falls down on her knees then slumped on the floor. And tears started to stream down on her face.


    Nicolo caught his breath. His heart ache as he see how Mirage crumble down. He slowly walked towards her and crouched down in front of her. He reached out and hugged her tight.


    ¡± I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on with me, Nico. ¡± Mirage sobbed.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Nicolo caresses her hair as he couldn¡¯t find the words to say.


    ¡± I woke up feeling empty and numb. As the day goes by I can feel my heart being torn into thousands of pieces continuously and repeatedly. It seems like there¡¯s a hole inside me that¡¯s getting bigger and bigger. The pain is unbearable. It¡¯s suffocating me. ¡±


    Nicolo closes his eyes tight. He could clearly feel the excruciating pain in her voice. He never knew that someone like her will go through that much pain. He held Mirage tighter as if he would be able to protect her from everything and anything.


    ¡± There¡¯s nothing wrong with my head, I swear. That¡¯s why I spend all day thinking and trying to figure out something or anything but I¡­¡±


    She breathed and sobbed.


    ¡°¡­ there¡¯s nothing. Nothing¡¯se to mind. Nothing¡¯s changed. I still can¡¯t remember anything.¡±


    And she broke down again and cry some more. She cry a river. Inside the moonlit room.


    Nicolo didn¡¯t let her go. In fact, they stayed like that for some time until she was done crying. She pulled away from his hug then wipe the remaining tears from her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    He shook his head.


    ¡°You have nothing to apologize for.¡±


    They both sat on the ground and faced each other. Silence envelopes them for a few seconds.


    After a short break, Nics clears his throat.


    ¡± Shall I bring you to your room? ¡±


    Mirage just nodded. She was extremely exhausted. But her mind still wandering. Nicolo helped her up and guide her back into her bedroom. They found Travis outside her room pacing back and forth impatiently. His face lit up when he saw Nicolo and Mirage but worries took over immediately. He meet them halfway.


    ¡± Mir! Are you alright? ¡±


    Nicolo nodded. Mirage doesn¡¯t have the energy to even answer, she almost dropped even with Nicolo¡¯s support. Travis quickly grabbed her other arm and they carefully take her into her bed.


    ¡± I think it¡¯s better to sedate her. ¡±


    Travis was totally surprised by Nicolo¡¯s suggestion. The doctor shot his eyes to him and then to Mirage. The woman nod her head once. She was too crestfallen to argue or to even say no. Maybe she needs it to be able to sleep in peace.


    Travis walked out of her room and back with the syringe in a minute. He injected the sedative.


    Mirage felt her whole body get numb. Even her thoughts and senses faded away. Then she heard Nicolo¡¯s voice and she drifted off to slumber.


    Travis and Nicolo both breathe out a sigh of relief as they watch Mirage sleeping peacefully. Travis slumped down on the couch while Nicolo stood while touching his forehead.


    ¡± Can you stay with her? I need to look into something. ¡±


    ¡± Sure. That¡¯s what I¡¯m really going to do. ¡±


    ¡± Thanks. ¡±


    And he walked out the door and went into his own room. He headed straight to his table, sat down on his swivel chair and open the locked drawer. He took out all the folders and scanned the files one by one.


    He finished all the pages but he didn¡¯t find anything. The files were all about Mirage. About her foster family, her husband and his family.


    He read over every single document again and again but it was useless. He ran a hand through his hair.


    ¡® What the fvck am I looking for? ¡®


    He sighed heavily.


    He put the file down and closed the folder. He shut his eyes and massage his temple.


    ¡® Should I get myself a sedative? This is making me crazy as hell! ¡®


    He was startled when his phone suddenly rings. He answered it after he saw that it was Cris Adams.


    ¡± What? ¡±


    ¡± Hi Sir Nick, good evening! I just want to remind you about the meeting on June 21st, Friday  morning at Sce Hotel. It was cancelled today so the client agree to do it the day after tomorrow as they have their ownmitment tomorrow. ¡±


    ¡± Okay. ¡±


    And he hung up. His eyes automatically find the calendar and look at the said date.


    ¡® What day is today anyway? Wednesday right? ¡®


    ¡± It¡¯s 19. June 19. ¡±


    He muttered to himself absentmindedly as he lean his head back on his chair and closes his eyes to think some more.


    And then it hit him.


    He abruptly open his eyes and searched over the files in front of him. He picked them up and put them down, searching for the page he needs. After finding what he¡¯s looking for, he brought it under his nose and began reading the details.


    The sudden realization struck him and leaves him dumbfounded.


    He read the information that was given to him, his eyes were fixed on it the whole time.


    ¡± This is the reason why she¡¯s being that way¡­¡±


    He murmured under his breath.


    He closed his eyes and leaned against his desk with his hands supporting him. He kept reying the words over and over again again in his mind.


    ¡± She can¡¯t remember but her heart probably does¡­ that¡¯s why she¡¯s miserable. ¡±


    He wiped his face with both of his hands.


    ¡± It¡¯s because today¡­ is their wedding date¡­ ¡°


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