Chasing Dreams, Losing Her.

Chapter 40 Checkmate

Zarya's point of view

A few weeks later...

This will be the last week before the final bidding. So far wala naman nang postponement emails na dumating, and we already received an official email of the schedule sa final day.

Mr. Henderson and I spent most of our hours everyday inside of my office.

Sinigurado namin na walang palya lahat, and we will come prepared.

Ang laking impact yung pag postponed ng event, hindi lang saakin.

Mr. Henderson even had to extend his stay dito sa Pinas, while I had to sacrifice my work as a Doctor.

The threats never stopped, galing kay tito Eric sa text, at mga letters na pinapadala ni Gabriel Sterling. But none of those made me stop from this bidding. Alam kong hindi kayang saktan ni tito Eric si Iris, pero sa oras na makontrol siya ni Sterling ay sigurado akong walang imposible.

Based on fortress security, Iris is doing well. She is safe, and guarded. I just hope it stays like that.

Once I win in this bidding, I would gain my dad's full trust, give tribute to the company, and most especially—Iris will be mine again.

I have no plans of backing out, itutuloy ko ito. Ang alam ni tito Eric is Iris and no longer have any connections, and I think that's enough for him na pigilan si Sterling sa kung may balak man siyang masama kay Iris.

_____

"Cheers! Zarya" my dad raised his wine glass, wearing that huge proud smile.

We are at Papa's mansion tonight, he invited Henderson for dinner as an early celebration of the bidding.

We are more than ready na kasi, he already checked everything. Including the prepared amount laban sa ibang participants, it was a huge amount na kahit ako ay nakakasigurado na makukuha namin 'yon. Everything is set, all we need to do is wait for the schedule.

My mom sat quietly at the far end of the table, halos hindi nagsasalita.

She was never one for these business discussions, never really interested in the numbers or the strategies.

Nakikinig lang siya, umiinom ng wine, at minsan ay ngumingiti, while my dad and Mr. Henderson dominated the conversation.

"Mark my words, Mr. De Luca," Mr. Henderson said, leaning back in his chair, swirling the red wine in his glass.

"No one comes close to what you have built here.

No one has the resources, the preparation, or the reputation that De Luca Corporation holds.

Sterling can throw all the money he wants, but he cannot buy what you have earned. "

Dad laughed, deep and hearty, parang sobrang tuwang-tuwa, nodding enthusiastically.

"I know, I know. That boy thinks money is everything.

But Zarya... she taught me something. She taught me that power isn't just about what you have in the bank.

It's about how you fight for it. And my daughter?

She fights like a De Luca. She fights like she owns the world. "

They went on and on, talking about contracts, about future plans, about how we would expand the company once we won.

Habaan na naman ang kwentuhan, their voices blending into a steady hum of confidence and triumph.

I smiled and nodded along, but my mind was only half there.

Medyo nababagot na rin ako, buti nalang hindi sila nag italian dito.

but I stayed seated, playing the part of the daughter they were proud of.

Until suddenly, my phone buzzed softly against the table.

I glanced down. The screen showed a name that made my heart skip a beat.

My older sister. Bakit siya tatawag ngayon?bihira lang naman siyang tumawag unless it was urgent.

"Excuse me for a moment, Papa, Mr. Henderson," I said, standing up slowly, keeping my tone polite. "I just need to take this call. It's family."

Dad waved his hand dismissively, busy na naman sa kwento niya, already deep in another story about his early business years. "Go ahead, Zarya. We'll be here."

I stepped away from the table, walking out of the dining hall and into the wide, open garden at the back of the mansion.

The night air was cool, fresh, and sobrang tahimik compared to the loud chatter inside.

I walked further away, towards the stone bench near the fountain, and answered the call.

"Ate Yana? Hello?"

There was silence on the other end for a second. Then... a shaky, broken breath.

"Zar..."

Her voice was wrong. It sounded weak, trembling, and thick with tears. Parang kanina pa siya umiiyak, parang pagod na pagod na. My stomach twisted instantly. Something's wrong.

"Yana? What's wrong?" I asked, stepping further into the shadows, my voice dropping with concern. "What happened? Why are you crying? May nangyari ba diyan?"

"W-wala... nothing... it's nothing, Zar..." she stammered, but her voice cracked, and I could hear her sobbing softly, pilit na pinipigilan pero hindi kaya. "Don't mind me... I just... I just missed you."

"Don't lie to me," I said firmly, my worry turning into frustration. Naiinis na ako kasi ayaw niyang magsabi. "You don't call me crying at this hour just because you miss me. Alam kong may mali. Tell me. What is going on there? Did someone hurt you? May ginawa ba sila sa'yo?"

She didn't answer, just cried harder, and the sound of it broke my heart and irritated me at the same time. Ayoko ng ganito, ayoko ng hindi ko alam ang nangyayari. Natatakot ako na baka si Ate madamay pa dito.

"Ate, listen to me," I said, my tone softening but still serious. "I will be back in Italy in a few days. Pupuntahan kita diyan. I will leave right after the bidding, okay? I will stay there for as long as you need me. Just... tell me what's wrong so I can prepare."

"Zar..." She took a deep, shaky breath, like she was gathering every ounce of courage left in her body. "Zarya... I... I have to tell you something."

"What is it? Ano ba 'yan? Just say it."

"I'm pregnant."

The world seemed to stop turning.

I froze. My hand tightened around the phone until my knuckles turned white. My mind went blank, hindi ko agad matanggap ang narinig. Pregnant? Si ate Yana? Kapatid ko?

"...What?" I whispered, my voice barely coming out. "Anong sabi mo? How? You were here in the Philippines just a few months ago! Paano nangyari 'yan? How long have you been hiding this from us? Gaano ka na katagal buntis?"

"8 months... almost 9 months, Zar." She sobbed openly now, no longer holding back. "I can't do this anymore... I'm scared... sobrang takot na ako, I don't know what to do..."

8 to 9 months.

My blood ran cold, then boiled with anger all at once. If she was almost nine months now... that meant she was already heavy with child when she visited me. Kaya pala parang she looked pale, but seemed healthy kasi she gained some weight.

"What were you thinking?!" I hissed, my voice rising, sharp and furious. Sobrang galit at gulat ang nararamdaman ko.

"Are you insane?! Bakit hindi mo sinabi?! Who is the father?! Sino ang gago na 'yan?! Don't you dare tell me you don't even know his name! Ate, paano mo nagawang itago 'to sa lahat?! How could you be so reckless?!"

"I was already five months pregnant when I went there!

" she cried out, her voice desperate and broken.

"Umuwi ako diyan dahil dito... I was planning to tell you everything, to ask for help.

.. but then I saw you, Zar. I saw how miserable you were.

I saw how much pain you were going through because of everything that happened between you and that Attorney, with Dad, with.

.. with the company. You were breaking apart, Zar.

Hirap na hirap ka na. And I couldn't... I couldn't add to your burden.

Hindi ko kayang dagdagan pa ng problema ang kapatid ko na gago na sa kaka-isip. "

Her words hit me hard, kumirot ang puso ko, but my anger didn't fade, if anything, it grew stronger, mixed now with fear and confusion.

"Sei stupido?" (Are you stupid?) I cursed, my voice shaking.

"Do you think this is something you can just hide?

! Malapit ka nang manganak! Do you realize how dangerous this is?

! Napaka-irresponsable mo naman ate...Did you even see a doctor?

! May nag-aalaga ba sa'yo diyan?! Do Mom and Dad know?

! Ano na lang sasabihin nila kapag nalaman 'to?

! Oh my god.... Mi dispiace dirtelo, ma ti stai comportando così da stupido che mi fai bestemmiare nella lingua che odio di più.

" (I am sorry to say this, but you are acting stupid that you're makinge me curse in my most hated language)

I was furious, sobrang inis at galit, but underneath it all, I was terrified for her. She was alone there, pregnant, scared, and carrying a secret this big. Paano niya kinaya nang mag-isa?

"Zar, please... please don't tell them yet," she begged, crying uncontrollably into the phone.

"Please keep this a secret for now... pangako, sasabihin ko lahat.

.. every single detail... just please, wait until you get here.

Huwag mong sasabihin kina Mama at Papa, okay?

I promise I'll explain everything when you arrive. "

I opened my mouth to reply, to yell at her more, to demand answers, to scold her for being so stupid... when suddenly, I heard footsteps crunching on the gravel behind me.

I jumped, quickly pulling the phone away from my ear and ending the call instantly. I turned around sharply, my heart hammering against my ribs.

It was my mother.

She stood a few feet away, dressed in her elegant silk dress, looking at me with calm, curious eyes.

I was stunned. Narinig ba niya? Did she hear what I said? Did she hear ate Yana crying? Naku, kung narinig niya...

"Ma..." I breathed out, trying to steady my voice, trying to look normal despite the chaos inside my head. "What are you doing here? Bakit nandito ka?"

"Your dad asked me to call you back inside," she said softly, her tone giving nothing away. She didn't look shocked, or angry, or confused... just calm. "They are about to open another bottle of wine. They want you there."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Buti na lang. Hindi niya narinig.

"I'll get inside soon," I told her, forcing a small smile. "Just... give me a few minutes here, Ma. Kailangan ko lang huminga sandali. I just need to calm down a bit."

She nodded, turned around, and walked slowly back toward the brightly lit house, leaving me alone in the dark garden again.

As soon as she was gone, I slumped against the stone wall, my legs feeling weak. My mind was racing. Ate Yana is pregnant... almost due, and hiding it for months. Fuck! Paano niya nagawa 'yun?

I grabbed my phone again, my fingers trembling as I pressed Yana's name to call her back. I needed to yell at her more. I needed to make sure she was safe. I needed to understand everything. Sasabihin ko sa kanya ang lahat ng naiisip ko.

But before the call could connect... my screen lit up again.

an incoming call from an unknown number..but it wasn't the one who keeps on sending me threats. This is different.

My blood froze.

I stared at the screen, my breath catching in my throat.

Bakit ito tumatawag? I didn't answer. I never answered any unknown calls anymore.

I knew exactly what this was, another threat, another taunt, another way to make me afraid.

Hindi ko sila bibigyan ng kasiyahan na sumagot ako. Wala akong pakialam sa kanila.

I let it ring until it stopped.

But almost immediately, a text message popped up on my screen. It wasn't a long letter or a vague warning. It was short, direct, and cold.

My heart stopped beating.

Fucking Sterling! I stared at the words, reading them again and again, my mind refusing to accept what I was seeing. It's a Philippine number code, so nandito siya sa Pilipinas??

How?!

Paano niya nalaman?!

ate Yana told me barely two minutes ago. Not even my parents knew. Not even my closest friends. I just found out myself... and alam na niya?!

Paano niya nalaman ang tungkol kay ate Yana? Ang tungkol sa pagbubuntis niya? Ang tungkol sa bata?!

Panic, pure and raw, flooded my veins. Parang binagsakan ako ng langit at lupa. He knew everything. May mata at tenga siya kahit saan. He knew my family's secrets before I even knew them myself.

This wasn't just about the bidding anymore. This wasn't just about Iris. Nasama na pati kapatid ko. He had reached my sister. He had reached the one person I thought was safe thousands of miles away. Akala ko ligtas siya doon... pero mali ako.

Without thinking, without hesitation, without even grabbing my bag or explaining anything to anyone inside the house... I turned and ran.

I rushed out of the garden, out of the gate, straight to my car parked in the driveway. My hands were shaking so hard halos hindi ko maipasok ang susi.

Hawak niya ang pamilya ko. Hawak niya ang buhay ng kapatid ko at ng magiging pamangkin ko. I started the engine, tires screeching as I sped away from my father's mansion, driving fast into the dark night, following the address he sent.

Alam niya ang lahat. At ngayon... nasa kamay niya ang lahat. And I have no idea how he did it.

Parang ang bilis ng pangyayari, everything happened in just a span of ten minutes, and yet here I am, driving like a madwoman into the unknown, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.

My hands were trembling uncontrollably on the steering wheel, basang-basa na ng pawis, every turn I made guided only by the address Sterling sent.

I didn't recognize the location at all. It was far from the city, far from the busy streets, far from anywhere I usually went.

The road became narrower, rougher, lined with tall trees that seemed to lean closer as I passed, parang mga matang nakatingin at nakabantay.

The further I drove, the darker it became, streetlights disappearing one by one until only the beam of my headlights cut through the thick, black night.

Private Beach Resort...that was what the map showed.

But as I approached, it didn't look like any resort I had ever seen.

No gates, no welcoming lights, no sound of music or people.

Just a long, winding driveway leading toward the shore, surrounded by high walls and dense foliage that made it feel isolated, sobrang tahimik na kahit ang ingay ng makina ko ay parang umaalingawngaw sa buong paligid.

I slowed down as I reached the end of the path.

The car's headlights swept across a wide, empty parking area made of white gravel.

Beyond it, I could see the faint outline of the ocean, the dark water stretching out endlessly under the moonless sky.

The place was huge, malawak at elegante sa itsura, but completely dead.

No lights were on anywhere. The buildings, the cottages, the pathways everything was swallowed by darkness.

It looked abandoned, parang matagal nang walang tao, yet everything was perfectly maintained, clean, and untouched.

I stopped the car right in the middle of the open space, turned off the engine, and silence crashed down on me instantly. Napakatahimik, the only sound was the faint, rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore, soft and low, like a whisper.

For a moment, I just sat there, gripping the wheel, staring at the blackness outside. "Ano ba ang ginagawa ko dito?" I asked myself.

Bakit ko sinusunod ang taong gustong-gusto akong sirain?

Sterling knew something I didn't. Kahit anong mangyari, kailangan kong malaman.

I couldn't turn back now. Not when my sister and her unborn child were involved.

Natatakot ako na baka hawak niya ngayon mismo si Ate, sana naman mali ang hinala ko.

I took a deep, shaky breath, grabbed my phone, and stepped out of the car.

The cold sea wind hit me immediately, tangling my hair and sending chills running down my spine.

Nanlalamig ang buong katawan ko, not just from the wind, but from the heavy, suffocating atmosphere surrounding the place.

It felt wrong. It felt dangerous. Parang may nakatago sa bawat anino, parang bawat sulok ay may naghihintay na sumugod.

I stood tall, pushing every bit of fear deep down inside me, letting only anger and determination remain. I straightened my back, lifted my chin, and shouted with all the strength I had left, my voice echoing loudly across the empty resort.

"STERLING! , DOVE SEI??!"

(Sterling, where are you?)

My shout bounced off the walls and faded into the darkness, but there was no answer. Only the wind and the waves replied.

I started walking forward, my heels crunching loudly on the white gravel.

I walked towards the center of the open area, where a wide patio and a long stretch of terrace overlooked the sea.

Every step I took felt heavy, parang may kadena ang bawat galaw ko, but I didn't stop.

I scanned the dark surroundings, eyes sharp, searching for any movement, any sign of life.

"Are you that coward that you chose to hide in the dark?

!" I yelled again, my voice sharp and filled with disdain.

Nakakadiri ang pakiramdam, dealing with someone who played games like this, someone who thought fear was the greatest weapon.

"You talk so much about power and control.

.. yet you can't even show your face! Come out!

Stop hiding like a rat and face me!"

Silence again. Deeper, heavier, mocking.

I stopped in the middle of the patio, hands balled into fists at my sides, my whole body tense and ready to fight. And then... it happened.

Suddenly, a loud click sound echoed from somewhere above.

Bright, blinding white lights exploded to life all around me.

From the poles, from the walls, from the ground, dozens, maybe hundreds of floodlights turned on at once, illuminating the entire resort with harsh, blinding brightness.

It was so sudden, so intense, that I instinctively flinched, raising my arm to cover my eyes, my heart jumping into my throat.

Sobrang liwanag, parang sikat ng araw sa gitna ng gabi, hurting my eyes, making everything sharp and clear.

Medyo nahilo ako saglit, the sudden shift from deep darkness to this overwhelming glow making it hard to focus at first.

As my vision adjusted, I lowered my hand, squinting against the glare. And there... standing at the far end of the terrace, leaning casually against a pillar, was a figure.

He was half in shadow, half in light, his silhouette tall and imposing.

He wore a white linen shirt, sleeves rolled up, dark trousers, looking relaxed, elegant, and completely unbothered.

Grabe naman kung mag-ayos, even in the middle of nowhere, in a place that felt so eerie and abandoned, he looked like he owned the whole scene.

His hands were clasped together in front of him, and as I stared, he started clapping, mabagal at may halong pang-aasar, the sound echoing clearly over the crashing waves.

Slow, rhythmic, mocking applause cutting through the quiet air.

He pushed himself off the pillar and took a step forward, stepping fully into the light.

Gabriel Sterling.

That same arrogant, terrifying smile was plastered across his face.

His eyes were bright, cold, and gleaming with amusement as he looked me up and down, parang isa lang akong laruan na matagal na niyang gustong paglaruan.

He walked slowly towards me, his movements smooth and confident, like he owned every grain of sand here, like he owned the whole world.

"Bravo," he said, his voice deep, rich, and dripping with satisfaction. "Bravo, Doctor De Luca. Non smetti mai di stupirmi."

(Bravo, Doctor De Luca. You never failed to impress me.)

He stopped just a few meters away from me, close enough for me to see every detail of his face, every twist of that cruel smile.

"You really are as brave as your father," he continued, tilting his head slightly, studying me like I was some kind of rare specimen.

"Furious, fearless, ready to face anything.

.. even when you have absolutely no idea what you are walking into.

You are indeed a De Luca. Raymond raised you perfectly.

You have his fire... his pride... and his foolishness. "

I didn't back away. I stood my ground, staring right back at him, my eyes burning with pure hatred.

Gusto ko siyang saktan, gusto kong sumugod at sakalin siya sa laki ng galit ko, but I knew better.

I knew I had to play this game first, to find out what he knew, and most importantly. .. where my sister was.

"Cut the crap, Sterling," I spat out, my voice low and sharp. "I am not here to listen to your compliments or your insults. I am here because you told me to come. You sent that message. You mentioned my sister. You mentioned her baby."

I took a step closer, narrowing my eyes at him. Ramdam ko ang bawat pintig ng galit sa katawan ko.

"How did you know?" I demanded. "How did you find out about her? She's in Italy! She's thousands of miles away! Not even my own parents know about this yet... but you do? Paano mo nalaman?! What did you do?!"

Sterling laughed, a low, rich sound that made my skin crawl. He didn't look threatened at all. He looked pleased. Parang ito mismo ang gusto niyang mangyari, na makita niyang naguguluhan at natatakot ako.

"Ah, Zarya... always so direct. Always so angry," he said, shaking his head mockingly.

He walked past me, slow and leisurely, looking around the brightly lit resort as if showing it off.

"You ask how I know? Because I know everything.

I told you that before, didn't I? I have eyes everywhere.

I have ears everywhere. There is no secret kept within the De Luca family that I cannot find out.

No distance is too far for me. No wall is thick enough to block me. "

He turned back to face me, leaning back against the stone railing that overlooked the dark sea, his expression turning darker, more serious.

"Your sister Yana... sweet, adventurous Yana. And you...always trying to carry the burden so she wouldn't have to," he said, his voice dropping to a lower, colder tone. "But she's not good at hiding, just like you..Principessa"

My breath hitched. He knew everything. Every detail. Every secret.

"But secrets are fragile, Zarya," Sterling continued, pushing himself off the railing and walking slowly back toward me. "They crack. They leak. Especially when you have people working for you who... let's say... know how to dig deep."

He stopped right in front of me, invading my personal space, towering over me with that terrifying confidence.

"And when I found out... do you know what I realized?

" He leaned in closer, his voice a whisper that felt like ice against my skin.

"I realized that I didn't just have one weakness to exploit.

I didn't just have Iris Valenti, the woman you love to use against you.

I also have your sister. The woman you would burn the world down to protect.

The only family member who truly understands you, who truly stands by you.

.. even when she is carrying secrets of her own.

I have one more secret to tell you...zarya"

My mind was racing, sobrang bilis at sobrang gulo, trying to process everything he was saying, trying to find the loophole, trying to find a way out.

"Where is she?" I asked, my voice shaking despite my best efforts to stay calm. "tell me. Where is she right now? Is she safe? Did you hurt her?"

He didn't even flinch. He just tilted his head, that infuriating, amused smile still plastered across his face, parang wala siyang narinig na seryoso sa sinabi ko.

He took his time looking around the brightly lit patio, as if admiring the place he owned, before his eyes settled back on me, cold and gleaming.

"Did I mention I have her here with me?" he asked, his tone smooth, mocking, dripping with arrogance.

He took a slow step closer, hands still clasped behind his back, relaxed and completely in control.

"No. I did not. You assumed that, principessa.

You always assume the worst, don't you? Always thinking everyone is out to destroy the people you love. "

He paused, letting his words hang in the air, enjoying the way my chest heaved with suppressed rage.

"She is perfectly fine," he continued, his voice dropping to a calm, casual tone that made my blood boil even more.

"Safe, comfortable, and very much alive inside her big, beautiful mansion in Italy.

She is sleeping soundly right now, I imagine.

No one is bothering her. No one is hurting her.

She has everything she needs... except you, of course.

But I suppose that is a small price to pay, isn't it? "

My mind spun. She's in Italy? She's safe? Then why bring me here? Why threaten me with her name if she wasn't even in his grasp? Lahat ng takot at pangamba ko kanina... ginawa lang niyang laruan? He played with my fear just to make me run to him. Just to prove he could.

"Then what do you need from me??" I practically spat the words out, my frustration and fear turning into sharp anger. "then why am I here? What is it that you want, Sterling? Money? Land? Power? You have more than enough of all of those! What do you want from me?!"

He laughed, that low, dark, terrifying sound that echoed off the walls and sent chills down my spine. Nakakadiri ang tawa niya, so full of pride, so sure of himself, like he already held every single card in this game.

"Simple," he said, stopping just a meter away from me, his eyes locking onto mine with intense, unwavering focus. "Quit the bidding."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I stared at him, stunned, my breath catching in my throat. Ito lang ba ang gusto niya? Matapos ang lahat ng ito, ang hiling lang niya ay umatras ako?

"Is that it?" I asked, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me. "You dragged me all the way here, scared me half to death, made me think my sister and her unborn child were in danger... just to tell me to quit? If I don't?"

Sterling's smile faded. Just like that, the amusement vanished from his face, replaced by something colder, darker, and far more dangerous. His expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me, parang biglang nagbago ang anyo niya mula sa mapaglarong bata patungo sa isang halimaw.

"I am not dumb, Zarya," he said, his voice dropping low, serious and sharp. "Do you really think I am as blind, or as stupid, as you hope I am? I know everything. I know you and Eric's daughter are acting like strangers."

My heart stopped.

He knew, tangina ano pa bang hindi alam ng taong 'to?!

"I know you cut all ties, I know you walked away, I know you made her believe you didn't care.

.. just so you could keep her safe, didn't you?

" He continued, stepping closer, invading my space, making me feel small and exposed.

"You thought if you pushed her away, if you became nothing to her, then I would have no reason to touch her.

You thought that by turning your back on the woman you love, you were protecting her. How noble. How tragic."

I stood frozen, parang binagsakan ako ng langit at lupa.

Every secret move I made, every painful decision I took, every lie I told Iris.

.. he knew it all. I thought I was being clever.

I thought I was hiding her perfectly. I thought I was one step ahead.

But standing here now, listening to him speak, I realized with terrifying clarity.

.. Sterling was far more powerful, far more connected, and far smarter than I ever gave him credit for.

He didn't just guess. He knew. He had eyes everywhere. He saw everything.

Walang silbi ang pagtatago ko. He knew the truth before I even acted on it.

"Do you think Tito Eric would let you hurt her?

" I challenged, though my voice shook slightly, my confidence crumbling.

I tried to sound strong, tried to find a weakness in his plan.

"He is her father. He may be desperate, he may be working for you.

.. but he still loves her. He would never let you lay a finger on Iris.

He would turn on you before he lets you hurt his own daughter. "

Sterling threw his head back and laughed loud, mocking, and cruel. He laughed so hard he almost doubled over, parang narinig niya ang pinakamalaking katangahan sa buong mundo. He wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling as he looked back at me with pure amusement.

"Sì! Bravo!" he cheered, clapping his hands slowly again. "You are right! You are absolutely right, Zarya! Eric would never let me hurt her. He would never let anyone hurt her. Because deep down... despite everything... he loves her. And that makes her useless to me."

He took a step forward, his expression turning sharp and dark again.

"I haven't even tried yet, I never bothered her yet..He won't let me touch a single hair on her head. She is untouchable."

He circled around me slowly, like a predator circling its prey, his voice low and dangerous.

"You're right... I can't hurt Iris. Not directly.

And honestly? She can't hurt you either.

" He stopped in front of me again, leaning in close, his breath warm against my skin.

"She is just a pawn. A pretty, fragile little thing you love, but too well-guarded to break.

So I thought... if I can't use your bitch against you. .. maybe..."

He trailed off, letting the silence stretch, letting my imagination run wild, habang unti-unting kumakalat ang takot sa buong katawan ko.

"What's your next dirty plan, hmm?" I asked, lifting my chin, trying to hide how terrified I really was. "If you can't use Iris, and you can't use Yana... what do you have left? What else do you think you can do to me?"

Sterling's eyes lit up, glowing with a wicked, satisfied light. He smiled wider, showing perfectly white teeth, looking more like a devil than a man.

"Well," he drawled, slow and deliberate, enjoying every second of this torture. "I mentioned earlier I have a special secret for you. Something I found out... quite recently. Something far more valuable, far more damaging, and far more painful than anything involving Iris or Yana alone."

I just stared at him, my heart hammering against my ribs so hard I thought it would break.

Anong sikreto? I had nothing left to hide.

I thought he knew everything already. But the way he looked at me.

.. the way he played with his words, parang bata na may hawak na paputok na handang sumabog.

.. told me this was different. This was worse.

He took his time, walking slowly around me, hands behind his back, humming a low tune, teasing me, making me wait for the blow.

"I dug deep, Zarya," he said softly, stopping right behind me, his voice whispering near my ear, sending shivers running down my spine. "I dug deeper than anyone else dared to go. I looked into every shadow, every relationship, every secret meeting... and guess what I found?"

He stepped back in front of me again, his smile now terrifyingly bright.

"I know who the father of your sister's baby is."

My knees almost gave out. My breath hitched. My mind went completely blank.

He knew?

How? How could he possibly know that? Not even I knew! Hindi pa nga sinasabi saakin ni aate ang tungkol doon? She said she would explain everything when I got there... but Sterling already knew?!

"And the best part?" Sterling continued, his voice dripping with malice and triumph. He leaned closer, his eyes locking onto mine, drinking in the pure shock and horror written all over my face.

"I bet Iris... the love of your life won't be happy to know this." The words hung in the air, heavy, suffocating, and deadly.

I stood frozen, rooted to the spot, staring at him, unable to move, unable to speak, unable to even breathe. Ano ang ibig niyang sabihin? What connection could there possibly be? How could Yana's baby's father have anything to do with Iris?