That's right, please... have mercy on us. Please have mercy on us!" I'm begging dad who is full of emotions. My voice was hoarse from exhaustion and constant crying while pleading for papa to stop hurting us. I'm broken and closed but I'm still trying to protect my sister who is only seven years old and my mom who has a weakness from the pillar of our home that is making us suffer right now. The same thing always happens at home every time dad comes home. He is always angry and pours it on everyone. Dad wasn't like that before but when he learned to gamble and get into vices that's when our complicated life started. I can't even count how many times he almost killed us because of his beatings. Times where we almost looked like dead because of the bruises and pale bodies that dad had done. I want to defend them. I want to protect them but I'm just a humble man with a small body because of our state in life, that's what they call our condition 'poor' and what about me? Maybe I can say that I'm a man who gets patted down and gets weak easily because of not being able to eat properly. Even if I wanted to run away, I couldn't. Even if we want to fight, we can't. Even if I want to rebuke dad, be brave and be a man even for one time, I can't do it, I can't. I'm disgusted with myself for thinking that even once I could be a man, a complete man who can defend my loved ones, but no, I'm just a very useless man. I could not save them from the hands of my father who was swallowed by annoyance and anger. I want to keep mom and Abi away from dad's hands so that we can be safe and live happily and peacefully but I can't do it either, I can't because mom still believes that dad will change too which I just believed because he was taking a risk I know that when we make dad feel how much we love him, he will return to the way he was before, our dad who is so sweet and caring. My dad always smiles when he comes home because he is greeted with a bag of noodles that my brother and I will run to get at the same time as greeting him, kissing him, shaking his hand and giving him a hug. I miss seeing papa being sweet to mama, the type where they are like stars in a telenovela where there is no conflict, just full of love.
Chapter 1
I was surprised when the sun shone on me, it was morning.
I was about to stand up when I fell down. My body hurts especially my head. There I groped it and felt a liquid seeping into it. It's blood.
I didn't care about that anymore and immediately looked for mom and Abi. I searched every corner of our house even if it was small. I didn't see one.
I sat up in my seat suddenly realizing that there was no one in the house, only their belongings were left behind. I cried a lot, blaming myself for what happened that I should have been the protector of mom and Abi and it's not like I'm here and can't do anything but cry, always begging and not being able to do anything to help them, mom, to get out of the hands of my dad
Because of what I did last night, it even led to this scene where dad will keep Abi and mom away from me. There I only blame myself. Punching myself in the chest like it's all my fault. "Arghhhh!" a shout from my hoarse voice echoed in our house.
I immediately stood up to regain my strength, I was tired from everything but I needed to be strong.
I went out of the house with all my might. I took a bandage and put it on my head to stop the bleeding. I took wood that served as strength for my body. I used this cane and my foot started to move.
I will not give up.
I will find them.
I need to find them,
mom...
Abi...
I have to get them and get them away from dad.
"Mommy!"
"I think!"
"Yet!"
I screamed their names but no one answered.
I'm already in the middle of the road being stared at by whoever it is in whatever place it is.
People on the mountain, in the yard, in every house I asked and searched for the presence of my mother and brother but I found nothing.
I can't even do anything.
I can't help at all.
Days passed when I did just that.
Search here, search there, always like that but I still can't find what I'm looking for.
I had no food, no sleep, and no rest, I just kept searching, I didn't want to give up on my family, I would get them from dad.
I promised mom that I will find a way to get them away from dad and I will do that, I will find them no matter what.
I know my brother is with mom, I know they are in danger and they need me, I need to find them.
Because maybe this time they'll be the ones participating in papa's cruelty and that's what I don't want to happen.
It's getting late but I still don't stop walking, shouting their names and asking every person I pass if they know someone like this, like that.
I felt hungry and tired from searching but I didn't buy it. My feet are hurting and I feel my body gradually getting tired. The bruises on my face are still not going away and are still swollen but I don't care anymore because I have applied medicinal herbs.
I felt a slight pain and cold in my head, a sign that it was bleeding again but I ignored it and continued searching.
"Have you ever seen a child who is white? He is this tall? His clothes are white and he is wearing violet underwear. He has bangs, he is a beautiful child who is about seven years old."
"There is a woman with him who is beautiful, thin and white. She is wearing a beige dress and black jersey pants."
"Then there was a man with a tall, dark complexion. He was wearing jeans and then a red dress with sleeves."
That's what I always ask people I pass.
I want to give up because I've been looking for her for almost three days.
I'm tired and my body can't take it anymore.
I took a deep breath and then blew it out.
"Lord, I wish I could find them." I prayed and moved my foot again to look for mom.
I walked a few meters before my body finally fell and at the same time a car honked.
...
I woke up because of the sunlight. I could see nothing but a spacious white room with a beautiful light that I could say I would love for its design. I was lying here on a white and soft bed with a golden line that served as its design. It is surrounded by a white ceiling, floor, walls and everything else that is also white and gold. There's a lot of stuff here that looks like it's going to be loved. My eyes landed on my clothes that had changed. Maybe I was dressed by whoever brought me here.
I thought about my surroundings before finally standing up. I felt a pain in my head but when I touched it, it was bandaged. I looked in the mirror and saw myself in it. The bruise on my face seems to have healed little by little and the bandage on my head is new.
I wandered around this room feeling around for people. I looked around and wandered around the wide white room for a few more minutes before I decided to go out.
I fixed myself first and sighed. I carefully grabbed the doorknob and opened it.
"You're awake son." a woman greeted me when I opened the door. She looks a bit old but it's not obvious on her face because it's smooth and has a certain beauty and whiteness, you won't see her wrinkles and wrinkles.
"W-where am I?" I immediately asked. "Mama and Abi need me. I'm leaving. Sal----" I was cut off when he spoke. His companions entered with food and placed it on the table next to the bed earlier. The woman invited me in and talked there.
"You don't have to rush. Your condition is still bad and we need to treat your wounds first, especially the one on your head. When it's better, I'll let you go, but first, I need to know what happened to you ." its calm language. I looked at her and her companions, they seemed to be the ones who helped me, especially the girl in front of me now. In the stares they just give, you can feel the pity because maybe it's in my situation.
"It's okay if you don't want to say." the lady added, noting that I didn't say a word. "Yes." that's all I could answer.
"Eat to fill your stomach, you look very tired." a fat woman offered me. Even though I was embarrassed at first, I didn't refuse because I was hungry because I hadn't had anything to eat for a few days.
Suddenly I thought of those I was looking for, Abi and Mama. Even though the food in my mouth was not finished yet, I immediately swallowed it and spoke.
"Ma'am, where are my brother and mother? I need to see them. They need me." I spoke and it straightened up to listen to me. I just called her ma'am because I don't know her and just by her clothes and face I can tell if she is rich.
"You were alone when we saw you lying on the road. I thought you were hit by Mang Kanor. But the doctor said that you might have been bruised based on his observations because of the bruises on your face and also your head. I know it's very confidential but what's your name and where do you from? What really happened? I know you don't want to say what happened but it's okay, but, may I know your name?" asked the woman.
"Alex. Alex Casapao. I'm from Banaue, Banaue Ifugao." I answer here.
"Are you an igorot?" he asked and I just shook my head. The truth is that we are from Manila, we just moved to Banaue because dad lost his job in Manila. We ended up in Banaue because papa knew someone there who lived when we didn't have a home of our own- a home that changed when papa started to get into bad habits.
I just bowed down because of what I remembered. I teared up a little and tried to hold it back but I think the people around me noticed it, especially the girl.
"Hushh. Don't cry." I felt the sincerity in what he said. It hugged me and later separated. I just felt the touch of his soft palm that I turned to. It wiped away the tears that have flowed and will flow from my eyes. He smiled at me before asking. "What happened to you Alex? Alex, is it right?" he asked and I nodded.
"It's a long story." my answer. "But if you want to know, I'll tell you, maybe you can help me." I added and smiled which made her smile especially the girl.
"You're more beautiful when you smile." praise from the woman who shamed me.
"And he will look even more handsome, ma'am, when the bruise on his face heals." thanks to the woman earlier who gave me food with fatness. I just scratched the back of my neck like I used to when I was embarrassed.
"Ma'am looks like a woman." said a thin woman. I just smiled here because I'm used to it but there's a part of me that might judge me based on what he sees. Maybe the bullying of people in the past had an effect on me.
"Manang, I'm a boy." I said shyly and he laughed.
We even had more conversations and laughter because of that. Our conversation turned again about what happened to me.
"What happened to you Alex? Did you end up here in Baguio? Because you walked so far." asked the elderly woman. It seems to be the oldest one here.
"Yes. I would like to find Mama and Abi to take them to Papa. The night before the three of them were lost, there was an argument in our family. Papa is always like that when he comes home. of the house. It came to the point where he almost killed us but it was good and he suddenly fell down because of the alcohol" I said. I bowed and faked a laugh.
"Didn't you report it to the police or your neighbors?" asked the thin woman. I looked up and answered it.
"I was planning to file a complaint, but I didn't do it anymore. Mom believed that dad would change and I believed her. Dad wasn't like that before, he really cared. He's still the best dad. " I praise my dad. I smiled as I said that I was so happy that he became my dad, I couldn't stop being emotional so I bent down to hide the tears that were falling.
I miss dad.
The girl next to me tapped me. After recovering from the sadness, I continued to talk about what happened and why I was here in Baguio.
"That night, it must have been around Wednesday, Papa came home, we were about to meet him, but suddenly he punched me and Mama stopped him while my brother was clinging to Mama crying while Papa stopped what he was doing him to me."
"He continued punching me until I was having a hard time. Maybe he was annoyed with mom, so he was punching mom. Even though it was hard, I stood up, I stopped dad. I don't want to see that. mom, especially dad because I know he's not like that. He loves us very much. Then yes, I tried to take dad's fist away from mom because I couldn't handle it."
"Dad's attention turned to me again because of my constant pulling and restraining him. There he punched me and poked me and said hurtful things. Mana stopped him but he couldn't either. The case when dad got fed up with me and it was mom that he was hurting again. I really don't want to hurt my mom, especially since my brother is crying in front of me. That's why I got angry because even though mom is hurt, it's not dad was stopping so I punched him. He fell even though I was so tall. To be honest, I've been wanting to do that for a long time, but I'm telling myself that he's my dad too. But that night, it seemed like I was full ."
"I just continued punching dad. Then when I realized what I had done, I stopped because I knew I wasn't like that. Mom was really afraid of me that night, especially my brother. I was able to hurt My father and my son were very bad for what I did. I regretted what I did but soon I felt a beating on my head. I got dizzy because of that and my father was punching me. It seems that I lost consciousness. then when I woke up they were not at home." my whole story
To Be Continued...
A Tragedy, Tragedy that changed the cycle of my life. He accused me that I was the reason why his girlfriend and her child died. I shook my head. "That's not true. No!" "It's not my fault!" I defend myself and my vision blurs because of the first tears to flow. My hands can't move freely because of the handcuffs that were put on. I looked boldly into his eyes. Beautiful eyes, while he is standing to my front and he is ready to ask me. "I'm talking to you Attorney," I asked him. It hurts when it's not a priority. The Judge banged his gavel 3 times and said! "Order in the Court, Order in the Court!" So I kept quiet. "Let me proceed your Honor," he said and took an Envelope from the table and gave it to the judge. "Your Honor, This is the Evidence, " I saw him give the Envelope as well as my cousin's cell phone so I swallowed three times. "That's Evidence says everything that the accused planned the crime!" he said firmly and looked at me so I shook my head again. If only I could return it. I wish I wouldn't have asked my cousin to bathe in the sea if I had known that this would happen to everyone and also that I didn't know she was pregnant. Who else will defend me with all the evidence that says I'm the one who made a way to jail me. Even the gov't. Atty. He who is handling my case cannot defend me either. I bowed when the verdict was read. "This honorable court fines Accused Anya Belle Mendez, Guilty..." I just bowed to what I heard and my tears continued to fall. What do I have against an atty? Noah Lev Sebastian. "That's Ordered!" Judge banged his gavel again, so I went down. I was just bending down while looking at my two hands and also I am wearing Yellow t-shirt too. I stopped being honest with him. "I know you knew the truth. It's not my fault what happened," I looked into his eyes. He's amber anger eyes on me so I swallowed and bowed. "Atty. Have mercy on me, I'm not guilty," I try to hold his hand and kneel down. I begged him again. His softened hand, the hands that caress my face, arms that always hug me, his lips that I always kiss, the man I used to belong to but not now. "Please, I will do everything, just don't do this, you will feel sorry for my family," I told him. He slowly removed his hand and walked away a little. "Bring two lives and I'll set you free," he said. So I looked up and shook my head. "Then you will rot in prison." He said to me again, I was about to answer when I was violently stood up and the police pulled my five. I almost lost my balance, but he held me too. "Be careful!" I heard him call the police. "Mang! Pang! Jess!" I said in fear and hugged them. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what happens." Jessie said and kissed me on the forehead. "I love you," I heard him say to me and I was about to answer but Noah bumped into his back, and passed him but also looked at him again. "Whatever you do as long as you fight me. I guarantee that girl will rot in jail!" He threatened Jessie and left. "What is he doing to you and why are you so angry with him? You know it's not his fault that your girlfriend and your son died!" Jess said angrily to him. He still has no idea. He left until he disappeared from our sight. Murder Case is Lifetime Jail Sentence, I'm just going to be paroled. My life right now is miserable. I'm guilty for murder that I didn't commit. Can I still go out? Will I ever return to the world I live in? Will I still be able to see the man I love even though he is the reason why I was imprisoned? Can I still defend myself against him from his accusation against me? Will everything be okay and will I be loved again if we meet again or will he just make me feel my guilt in the past. Im Anya Belle Mendez His Atty. Noah Lev Sebastian
"Lazel Hyrroz," I said her name firmly and coldly. I followed him until we entered his room. He unbuttoned his uniform after collapsing, dropping his backpack on the bed. "I'm tired. Don't bother me now," he told me coldly without looking at me. "That's why I'm asking you why you're here now and where did you go to come home at this hour?" I asked strictly. He completely took off his white polo shirt and left only the shirt he was wearing. "You know? You have so many roles in my life," he mockingly promised and faced me. His face was still emotionless and he didn't change the way he looked at me, as if he could see my soul as well. "You are no longer just a mother, sister and brother. Now, your role is that of a strict father who waited for his own son who didn't come home last night but only now thought of going home," he added at length and even grinned. "You've grown up, Lazel Hyrroz. Even if you are no longer in the power of your parents, remember that there is one more person who will worry about you," I stated the fact. "You? Are you the person who will worry about me? I'm just your wife on paper and I didn't ask you to worry about me. I told you from the very beginning not to interfere with me and I will do the same to you," he promised firmly. That's how he really is. His heart is so hard and he really doesn't care about me or even my feelings. “Lazel Hyrroz...” "If you have nothing more to say, go out, Grandma?" he said with an insult in his voice. This time he called me Grandma. I just sighed because of his bad behavior and his bad treatment of me. I turned back when he finally took off his white shirt. "You've already seen my body, so why are you still avoiding me? You liked what we did last night, didn't you? You took advantage of me while I was out of my mind and drunk," he insulted me and it was as if those words just slapped me. My chest rose and fell violently because of my shortness of breath. "Before you go to sleep, take a shower or wash your body and if you haven't eaten, just heat up the food I cooked earlier," I said and I heard her loud chuckle again and the bed moving, a sign that he sat there. "Yes, Manang." I closed my eyes tightly because of him calling me. I went to the door of his room and closed it softly. I stopped for a moment in front of the door and leaned. The corners of my eyes are burning and I feel like crying. Heavy in the chest. Is that why he just came home now? Because in over a year something happened to us only once? We were both drunk and I don't even remember what we did. I'm really asking myself. How long will we be like this, Lazel Hyrroz? When I wake up every morning, my uniform is neatly ironed on the sofa bed. Even my black shoes are ready. In the kitchen, there is food already prepared and there is a sticky note on the fridge. I took it and read what was written. His penmanship is neat and beautiful. Even so, I still don't like it. "Don't forget to eat your breakfast before you go to school, Lazel Hyrroz." Calysta After I read that I crumpled the paper and threw it in the trashbin. I opened the fridge and got cold water. I opened the lid and took out the contents. I even looked at the breakfast that was ready on the table but like I often do, I didn't touch it and I didn't even eat. I entered the university with an empty stomach. It's okay, Hanemira often makes fun of me. So I only eat my breakfast at school. "You didn't have breakfast again, did you?" I just smiled at his question and smiled slowly. At the same time he held my hand and gave me the spoon. "I still cooked that." His cooking was not that good but I still appreciated it. Because...she's the only girl I want. When I got home, I expected to find him sitting in the living room. He was drinking coffee and busy with his laptop again. "You didn't eat your breakfast again. You didn't even touch them," he told me. The corners of my lips rose. As long as he always said that to me, I memorized those words. "Who told you to cook my breakfast?" I asked him and I heard him sigh again. In fact, I have no feelings for him. I don't like her and I will never love a woman who is ten years apart from each other. We only got married because he was richer than my family and our company only needed him. That is the only reason why I put up with this crowded home. I ignored him and went up the stairs but before that I stopped to ask him about this matter. "For you, what is love?" He suddenly turned to me and was obviously confused as to why I asked him that. "Why are you asking me that?" she asked me back. "I just want to know your opinion. What is love for you?" I asked, curious to know his opinion. What is his view on love? "Love destroys a person's life." I raised an eyebrow at what he said. In what way is it damaging? "When it comes to your life, you will feel the gradual destruction of your life." "What a mess you said. I don't understand anything," I said. He stared at
"Sir, where are you taking me?" Fear of telling him. He suddenly dragged me out of his office for some reason. I kept trying to remove his hand that was holding my arm tightly, causing me to feel pain. "Don't try to do that or else you won't like what I'm going to do to you here" he said sternly that I scared him. Today I saw sir that you are so angry for some unknown reason. . . . . . . "Get in" He shouted a little. That's when I realized that we were in the parking lot of his company. I forced my way in because I was afraid of him. I don't know what he is thinking of doing to me so I can't help but be afraid of him. "Sir please...where can you take me?..." Begging said to him. He didn't even listen and started the car. "Sir... Tell me what did you do if it was wrong for you to do this to me... Please, I'm begging you to put me down sir" he said crying. But he didn't even look at me, he continued driving. "No one will ever go near you....no one dares to touch you, and come near you.... Because you are mine.... Mine!" he emphasized at the end which made me startle with a mixture of fear when he said that. "S-sir...."
"Brother, let me go" I shouted here. He didn't want to let go of me until now, I'll leave it to him why he doesn't let me go from his arms like I'm a cat tied to his body "No stay for a while!" he said as he buried his face in my neck. I tried to keep him away from my neck because he was so muscular and I couldn't push him because of his strength. "Brother, what the hell! If you don't let me go, I'll report you!" When I threatened him. I thought I would be afraid, but I was the one who would be afraid of him because it's like facing a very hot fire and it will really melt you. "Stop assuming that someone will help you Mika. Remember we don't have parents now because they left us alone here in the mansion" I pushed him as far as I could and it was fine because he let go of me. I quickly went down from the room and went to the kitchen. I've been hungry for a while now, that's why. I immediately stopped what I was doing when I felt a stony body behind me while hugging my waist so tightly I could hardly breathe. "Brother, let me go.. What is happening to you and why are you doing this? Can you let me go first because my tummy is hungry!" I faced him with annoyance and I heard a small laugh from him. I immediately stopped because I only once heard him laughing even softly. "You're cute as ever my love" "What are you? Are you drunk and you can 'love love'? Hey brother, think of us as brothers. Or if you're not drunk, maybe you have a cold, brother, or are you just a friend?" "Tsk. Annoying just eat or ill kiss ya" "tsk.. There's a kiss kiss you know when you don't have siblings. It must have a worm in its brain because it suddenly tsk." "Are you whispering something?" I immediately became alert and smiled. "huh? I'm just eating here" I lied and continued eating. "I heard it. Stop lying just tell me" "Nothing" I stood up and drank water. I was about to leave to go upstairs but the monk spoke "Where are you going??" "Why get dressed? Are you the same?" "Can I?" "che! just kidding" Hi my name is Mika Veldes and im 18 years old. And my mother shit brother by my is Ezekiel Veldes is 20 years old, he already has his own company Instead, I should have finished school because I'm stubborn I've always been a cutie girl, but that was then and I've changed. And This is my Story
Larghserv well known as a One of the richest and leading the wealthiest family. Anxious Larghserv is known as cruel and ruthless Principal who has no use in love because love for him is like a Werthless because of the belief that all women have the same personality but what if he meets his sister friend he can change his way of looking at women Wharaine Dela Vina lives alone and only friends are with her in life his innocent and kind is one of the reasons why he will be imprisoned in the prison of the man Anxious known as the principal of their school can she be with a demonic man like anxious, can she successfully escape the man who imprisoned her or his stay forever caged in the arms of ruthless and cruel Principal.
Thedus Del Novan are well known as Dangerous and ruthless when it comes to business, well not only in business but also when it comes to a woman. He doesn't care about women but because he is old enough to have a family, but what? If he doesn't like women because to him women look like money.. It's not just because he doesn't know how to love, but what if he meets someone who is a woman he himself adopted? he's 29 yrs old rich and handsome man NBSB because no one has won the young man's heart yet Since he needed to have children, he adopted, he adopted a boy but he ended up with a girl He hates woman right but why he suddenly wants to possess her? it's supposed to hate her right?... He should hate all women, but what the hell f*ck! that girl is the only one who caught his interest and attention for the first time. the first and ever woman he ever wanted, but shit it feels wrong to own her. Because that girl is his soon to be daughter. Well that's bullshit! it's soon to be he's anyway. After all he is Del Novan. Thedus Del Novan can get anything he wants and Dhalia Selline Vera is no exception. Thedus Del novan will have her!Even Dhalia is soon to be his daughter!,no one can stop him not even d3ath!
It was a big day for Camilla. She looked forward to marrying her handsome groom. Unfortunately, he abandoned her at the altar. He never showed up throughout the wedding. She was made a laughingstock in front of all the guests. In a fit of rage, she went and slept with a strange man on her wedding night. It was supposed to be a one-night stand. To her dismay, the man refused to let her be. He pestered her like she had stolen his heart on that night. Camilla didn't know what to do. Should she give him a chance? Or just stay away from men?
For seven years, Jillian pursued Bryan with unyielding passion, but he remained distant, his emotions tightly sealed. Disheartened, she left for overseas after graduating from college. Three years later, Jillian, now a successful attorney, sat provocatively on the lap of Bryan's competitor. She flashed Bryan a playful smile and taunted, "What's wrong, Bryan? Are you impotent?" Bryan's restraint shattered in an instant. In a swift motion, he scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed. The next morning, as Bryan woke up, Jillian flashed a mischievous smile. "Let's keep things casual, okay?"
She doesn't remember getting married. Why? Sophia went to Las Vegas only to drink her pain away. Little did she imagine, she would end up becoming someone's wife. But who’s the lucky guy? Who knows? Even she doesn't remember. She was fucking intoxicated! All she has is a marriage contract with an expiry date and a bank balance big enough to pop her eyes out. Contractual terms: 1. Do not marry anyone else unless I permit you. 2. Try not to whore around. Your mother-in-law wouldn't be happy. 3. If I request a live-in relationship. You have to comply. 4. Sex is optional. 5. Contract Termination? Sorry Honey... In my family, couples don’t divorce. PS: I was kidding. Let's catch-up after three years to end this shit and get more money. If there are rules against having sex while drunk, there should be rules against getting married while drunk too. Because THIS isn't fair!
Rena, forced to flee to escape a marriage to a man as old as her father, made a spontaneous decision to marry Kellan, a stranger whose skills in homemaking were only matched by his financial acumen and his gentle demeanor. As their marriage unfolded, it took on a comforting predictability, with Kellan consistently showing himself to be reliable in every emergency. This sense of security crumbled when Rena uncovered Kellan’s true identity and the hidden motives behind their union. Enraged, she initiated a divorce and disappeared. Yet, it was not long before Kellan found her once again...
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
Damian didn't believe in love, but he needed a wife to claim the inheritance his uncle left him. Amelia needed to take revenge on her ex-husband, and what better way to do it than a marriage of convenience with his worst enemy? There were only two rules in their fake marriage: no entanglement or sexual relationship, and they would go their separate ways after the arrangement was over. But their attraction for each other is more than they bargained for. When feelings start to get real, and Noah wants Amelia back, will Damian let her go? Or will he fight for what he believes is his?