ntly. It poured very hard and relentless-lashing violently against the windows like an angry visitor demanding entry. A sudden, deafening

light slicing through the darkness and exposing the shadows like a photographer's strobe. Her

ce gust of wind forced its way inside, spraying cold rain across her face. The droplets stung like icy needles against her skin. She gasped, b

she turn back to he

nded her, and she exhaled softly

asually, breaking the silence, "h

into her voice. She walked back to the bed, slipped beneat

skepticism in his tone. "You mean there wa

around Madam Anita would have known better. The old woman's wealth seemed to have hardened her over the

adam Anita. Even though she didn't say anything, what she feels for me i

e'll come around soon enough. She'll eventually see t

'I ho

fluttered closed as a slow, heavy yawn escaped her lips, exhaustion finally catching u

ady," Gerald grinned. "It's fine-go ah

she murmured, comforte

s ear rested against her gently rounded belly. Gloria

teased lightly. "The baby j

We're just two weeks in, and you're

on. "That's the kind of bond we already share. I

re. I would be the happiest woman

"Me t

the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Gerald wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, and a

**

ths L

ately tidy living room. She was still in her pajamas. For the first time, the house was usually qu

here to be found. And of course, Eduardo-Vanessa's husband, the last person she wanted to concern herself with-had called th

garage. The moment she stepped in, she spotted Rico. The driver was already busy washing her car,

lanced up and immediately froze, the cloth in his hand pausing mid-mo

they saw her approaching. She did not tolerate delays. Punctualit

harply, "have you seen

I-I guess she s

think I would be standing here

y, madam. I ju

" Anita cut in coldly. "It's either yes

curved inward, his voice dropping when he spoke ag

wed. "And Beatrice? Hav

fly. "Yes, madam. I saw

say where sh

t. From the look of things, I

d, Anita turned and walk

room and dialed Vanessa's number. The ringing sound echoed faintly from upstairs. She fo

ising with every unanswered call. But still, there was no response. She would not have been this alarmed under normal circumstances. But Vanessa was heavily pre

. Vanessa had never been fond of kitchen chores. She would rather do anything else tha

e sink was Vanessa. She was washing dishes, a headset resting comfortably over her

Relief hit her first, knowing Vanessa was safe and unhar

u were here

ued nodding to the music, unaware. Anita walked closer and

me," she said coolly, "or

rned in surprise, eyes widening as she noticed her grandmothe

sa said with a cheerful smile. "I d

to soften Anita's expressio

dded lightly. "Don't look at me li

alize how worried you made me? You disappeared, and I couldn't

re," Vanessa replied quickly

a shot back. "Since when do you do chores like t

ed, replaced by a subdued expression Anita recognized all too well.

. I sent her to the next street to get me a few things. Besides..." She gestured vaguely to

reasonable, and maybe almost convincing, but that didn't

ou should have informed me. At leas

n, flashing a soft, disarming smile

ine." Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, "By the way, h

have decided already. If it's a boy, we'll n

so... ordinary. So low-class. Why not Sebastian? Or Tristan, if it turns out to be a boy. And if it's a girl, Alexandra would

tly, grandma. Their biblical nature means a lot to u

r taste when it comes to names. So it's fine. Do

turned back to the sink and reached for the plates again, rin

nessa s

er hands and crashed onto the floor, shattering loudly.

rm arm around Vanessa, steadying her before she could lose her ba

ghtened slightly, her face pale. She lifted

W

ath caught.

andma," Vanessa replied

n." She guided Vanessa toward the pantry so she coul

en, her steps faster than she thought possible. She was startled by her own energy. She could

mories surfac

, she had hoped. Each time, the outcome h

time...She cle

his time be

to get his attention. "Get the car re

cy written all over his face. By the time Anita re

m here, madam," Rico s

a led the way, opening the door wide and making sure Vanessa was seated prop

ngine roar

ke that, they we