WINTER:Why are all of my loved ones either going to die or dead? It made me think that I did not deserve to be loved. That sooner or later, they will be taken away from me. Am I that bad?Dad's expression froze seeing the tears that were trying to come out in my eyes.“Winter…I should have kept silent about this. Taking care of Liam is already hard enough. I don't want to be a burden to you.”“A burden? Stop that! You will never be a burden to me.”Why did it have to be Dad? He was the best Dad. He had given me all the love that he could give and protected me from everything. “I will take care of you like how I take care of Liam.”My heart continued to bleed like crazy, stood and closed the distance between us and engulfed him with a hug. Now that I realized it, Dad was already losing a lot of weight. I was so focused on Liam that I never realized he was also in pain too. That he was suffering from cancer. Guilt washed over me and felt like I was the worst daughter. “I don't expe
WINTER:The first thing that entered my mind when Dad asked me to give my ex-husband a chance was a blatant refusal in my head. I meant why would he do that? He knew firsthand how I suffered. I did not understand at first why he would ask such things when he knew for a fact that my ex-husband had hurt me.You did not listen to what he said? He wanted you to have someone when he died. But before I could blurt them out loud, I saw how he was expecting this.It was a dying man's old wish, my mind softly said. Can you say no to your Dad's wish?“What if I don't want him to give me a chance?” I asked quietly. Can I be civil with my ex-husband and not kill him in my mind? Seeing him always reminded me of his betrayal. And there was his daughter. The child had nothing to do with the sin…but still, I could not help but feel the pain mixed with anguish. How could Calcifer betray me like this?Hawk was about to say something but stopped himself. What could it be? Dad's face fell. “If that'
WINTER:My heart bled hearing my son beg for me. I did not like hearing any of it. It was painful on my part since I was not looking for someone's love. “Liam…that's not love. When you live with someone, you don't beg them to stay in your life. you set them free,” I explain. Just like what I did to your dad, I wanted to say but stopped myself otherwise.“I don't understand, Mommy.”I smiled at him and ruffled his hair. It was better that he could not yet understand right now. If he did, he would ask me a lot of questions about his real Dad and why we got separated, and many more. It was not the right time to tell him what happened. Calcifer might have left me, but I did not want Liam to hate his Dad. So you're the only one who is allowed to hate your ex-husband? the other part of my mind asked. “You might not understand for now, but you will someday. “How come Uncle Hawk doesn't love you? I love you, Mommy. Aunt Ynes loves you. Papi loves you and Uncle Hawk did not? He is bad.”Le
WINTER:I get that not everyone liked the idea of me talking back to Calcifer, but I also did not expect the same words to come from Hawk. For a couple of three years, he never involved himself in my personal life since there was a clear boundary between work and my private life. But now...it seemed that there was a shift in him. What made him change? What made him involved?I crossed my legs and leaned on my seat. "And why is that?"He averted his gaze. "Your ex-husband...he does not deserve you and Liam."And who deserved us?I raised my eyebrows. "Do you hear what you said, Hawk?"He shook his head. "I...I ... don't like him for you."I stared at him in disbelief and laughed. "You don't like him? Since when did you care?""Miss Winter...I...I can act as Liam's Dad if you want. The kid wanted me. I can pretend that I am your finance for real if it’s for the sake of you and Liam. I don’t want that man after what he did to you."I did not regret hiring him. He was one of the best dec
WINTER:Dad was super excited. He was whistling while watering the plants in his garden. Something was going on and it seemed that it was his turn to be happy right now.Whatever it was, I was happy that he was enjoying life despite the cancer that was stealing his life. He whistled the tune of some familiar song. It was his and Mom's favorite song. I wondered what was the good news?Leaning on the wall, I inquired, “Excuse me, Dad? Why are you super happy today? Don’t take it negatively. I love it when you are like this…but did something happen that would make you act like this?”Smiling, he faced me and retorted, “Guess who is coming here?”My brows formed a straight line. Something was telling me that I wouldn't like what he was going to say. “Who?”He rarely invited his business partners to his house. Only a few individuals whom he trusted so much. “Calcifer. My son-in-law. He is coming here maybe this evening and I want you to honor your promise. You've got to talk to your ex-
WINTER:The child was not Calcifer’s. How? It was impossible. And if it wasn't him, why did she call him Daddy? Where was Carmela now? What happened to her? I mentally shook my head. Calcifer was good at telling lies and now, he was saying it so that I would trust him and give him a chance. My eyes narrowed while folding my arms in my chest. “You’re lying until now. Let's drop this act, Calcifer, and tell us the truth.”“What child are you talking about, Cali?” Dad said it seemed that he did not have any idea about the child. Even after talking for three years? Why did he hide it from my father? Maybe because he got scared that Dad would be mad at him again. “Calcifer has a child, Dad. The same age as Liam,” I answered for my ex-husband when he did not say anything.“Jett-Jett is four years old. She is older than my son.”Four years old? So he had been cheating on me on our first wedding anniversary?I clenched my fist. How could he do that to me? “I’m not buying it. The child
CALCIFER:Winter already belonged to him?A strong wave of jealousy hit me hard as I watched the bastard's hand on my wife. No. Ex-wife. Winter would be mad at me if he heard me calling her wife.If I did not divorce her, I would be sitting beside her by now. If I did not leave her, would we be happy together with the child? Would I understand her more? I want her to be mine. Again, I thought. They haven’t married yet and I still have a chance to win her again. I have to win her. I will be the one who will be taking care of my child. Not another man. Take a deep breath, Calcifer. You don't want to scare Winter. You will get her back. You’ve got to show her that she needs you more than her boyfriend. Be true to your words and never lie to her. Again. "If you say so," I replied coolly. I crossed my legs, leaned back, and eyed the bastard. He was handsome. I could say, but I could provide well more than him. And my son will have everything that money could buy. If he wants it. I wa
WINTER:My heart tightened looking at my ex-husband’s reaction. It seemed like he was in disbelief upon seeing Liam for the second time. Who wouldn’t? He was seeing the mini-version of him. Was I feeling guilty that I kept our son away from him? Partly. But those small thoughts telling me that my ex-husband deserved it was the one who was victorious. Calcifer brought this upon himself.You are punishing Liam for his Dad’s sins. Your son deserved a father who will guide him as he grows up, the other part of my mind said. Am I punishing my son? Is that what it was called? I did not want anything but to make my son happy. It was not bad, right? But how could I do that if my ex-husband was suddenly in the equations?“Mommy!” Liam exclaimed while giggling as Ynes was tailing him. The old woman was already saying that her knees were in pain and now Liam made her walk fast. If not, maybe run earlier. “Liam. You have to walk slowly or else you will stumble. Wait for Ynes.”Not listening t