Who would've thought this would happen so soon? 
The possibility of her getting pregnant was always there, lingering in the back of my mind, but I never expected it to become a reality this quickly. My sister who’s madly in love with her husband, willingly dedicated herself to their relationship, even though we both knew he might pose a threat to the plans we once shared with Kian. But I didn’t anticipate it quite sooner. 
 
Nearly two years had passed since their wedding, and now, she was finally pregnant. As I helped her back to her room, a wave of worry washed over me. Looking back, I realized that all those times I thought she was just experiencing bad moods and mood swings, it was likely due to her pregnancy. I berated myself for not recognizing the signs sooner.
In that moment, I didn't press her for more details. Instead, I simply embraced her, conveying through my actions that I would stand by her side throughout her pregnancy journey. But deep down, I knew I should have been more attentive. I should have noticed the changes in her life since she got married—the subtle shifts in her lifestyle and behavior. 
As the months went by, I found myself staying by my sister's side for more extended periods, caring for her and also working on reconciling with Liene, who had been wary of me. I knew I had been touchy during our last conversation when the bombing incident came up. The memories of that event ignited a raging fury within me towards Jake, my brother-in-law. Despite my anger, I made a conscious effort to remain composed, reminding myself that he was still family.
To maintain peace, I opted to avoid him whenever possible. The truth was, I wasn't sure if I had any respect left for him, even though he owned the mansion we were in. Surprisingly, he had transferred the ownership of the property to my sister, which meant it now belonged to her. I immersed myself in caring for her and providing the support she needed throughout her pregnancy. As for Jake, I kept my distance, trying to find a balance between my emotions and the family ties that still bound us together. 
"Caught up with them, huh? Infiltrate their den immediately." I overheard him saying as he spoke on the phone in the hallway. I had been fetching a glass from the kitchen and was about to head back to my room when he spotted me. A sly smirk spread across his face as he ended the call promptly.
"Sorry you had to hear that," he mumbled, his mischievous emerald green eyes seemingly taunting me. I met his gaze with a determined expression.
"You've become quite the feisty one, Sharmienne," he remarked, seeming intrigued by my newfound spirit. “You’ve changed.”
"I suppose I have," I replied, though I could sense there was more to his words than met the eye. He was an enigma, and his smile hinted at secret schemes and plans. “I hope you do so.”
"It's inevitable for me to change," he admitted, his hands casually tucked into his pockets as he stood before me. "I've always managed to get what I want, even with this personality of mine."
"You're incorrigible," I muttered cautiously, not holding back my thoughts. There was an underlying tension between us. He was unpredictable, and I couldn't help but challenge his way of manipulating situations. "You mold yourself to fit whoever you're with, knowing they won't be able to keep up. Do you truly believe they'll stick around with that kind of attitude? I highly doubt it."
His once-confident smile faltered, and it seemed like the mask he wore had cracked just a little. He quickly regained composure and stood motionless. "I'm not blind, Sharmienne Velasquez. I can see right through your plans. So, even if you try to execute them, I'll do everything in my power to keep them from succeeding."
A smirk played on my lips. "Oh, I don't have anything specific in mind for you, Jake Hart. But I do wonder if you'll be able to keep your past from getting tangled up with your present, even though you're well aware of the consequences."
I noticed his eyes darkening, his jaw clenching in frustration. He deserved this, after all. It was his choice to make, and I wasn't afraid of standing up to him.
"What do you know?" he asked, his voice tense.
"Keyword: Rielle," I said, choosing my words carefully. In an instant, he seized my hand, causing the glass of water I was holding to slip and shatter. His grip was tight, and I couldn't help but wince in pain as I refused to back down. My glare only seemed to provoke him further.
"You better not mess with me," he hissed, his eyes locked onto mine with intensity.
"If you want to protect your present, let go of the past, you jerk," I shot back, my defiance unwavering.
"You don't know what I'm capable of, and you should be grateful you're Carmienne's sister," he retorted, his glare intensifying. "Oh, right. Half-sister."
His taunts didn't faze me, and deep down, I knew that being a Galvosa meant he might already know everything about me. Jake shifted away as his eyes glanced past me, and a moment later, I felt a presence behind me. His expression flickered with concern.
"Jake!" A familiar voice called out, and before I could turn around, I was enveloped in a warm embrace. It was my sister, Carmienne. "How could you..."
"Don't worry about it. I was just reminding her of where she stands," Jake replied, his tone displeased. "You should go back to your room. Staying up late isn't good for you."
Carmienne seemed torn between wanting to comfort me and addressing Jake's behavior. I gave her a reassuring smile, silently telling her that I was fine. 
"I'll be fine, Carms," I said softly. "You don't have to worry about me. I can handle myself."
Carmienne nodded, still not entirely pleased with the situation, but she trusted my judgment. She shot a final disapproving look at Jake before walking me back to my room.
"You should be more worried about yourself," I said as I slumped onto my bed, and my sister remained standing by my side. "Don't stress yourself out."
"I know," she replied cautiously. "I just can't help but be worried about you being here. It's my fault for keeping you here."
"Carms, don't blame yourself for this. I made the choice to stay," I reassured her with a smile.
She let out a sigh. "I should talk to Jake about this matter."
"Please, don't worry too much about me," I said, trying to ease her concerns. I could see the love and care in her eyes, and I appreciated it more than she knew. She gazed at me for a moment, and then it was as if a light bulb lit up in her head when our eyes met.
"Do you still resent our parents? They've been calling me to meet you up," Carmienne opened up, catching me by surprise. 
It had been months since I last saw our parents. Staying here had kept me busy, and I had managed to distract myself from the unresolved issues regarding my identity. Although I was slowly moving forward and coming to terms with not being a Golieza, it wasn't an easy process to fully accept.
"No, I don't," I replied honestly, though I knew that the acceptance was still a work in progress. Despite the lingering difficulties, it was a lesser burden compared to the time they first dropped the bombshell on me.
"By any chance, do you want to go home?" Carmienne asked gently, her concern evident. 
I looked away, taking a moment to contemplate my feelings and the reasons that led me to this situation. I had moved away to temporarily distance myself from them, to give myself time to grapple with the reality I was facing. But now, I wasn't sure if it was the right time to meet up with them.
"I don't know, Carms," I replied, knowing she would understand my indecision. "It's been months since I last saw them. I want to know their story, their reason. But... I'm not sure if I'll be ready for that conversation, or if they're ready to tell me the truth."
Carmienne tenderly caressed my hair. "I understand, Sharmienne," she said with a gentle smile. "Just focus on your studies for now. And remember, your birthday is only nine days away."
I chuckled at her persistence. "You know I don't celebrate birthdays, Carms," I reminded her, knowing how indifferent I had always been about the occasion.
"Still..." She furrowed her brow. "I want to at least cook something special for you. I've been learning some new dishes these days, and it would be a great opportunity to try them out."
"Alright, alright," I relented, giving in to her infectious enthusiasm. "You can cook something if you really want to. But remember, it's just another day for me."
Carmienne's smile widened, and she nodded happily. "I promise it'll be a low-key celebration, just something to mark the day. Besides, you deserve a little treat for all the hard work you've been putting into your studies and everything else."
As much as I appreciated Carmienne's thoughtfulness, I couldn't help but worry about her exhausting herself, especially now that she was pregnant. She had always been a bit stubborn when it came to getting what she wanted. 
"Don't exhaust yourself too much," I insisted. "I'm perfectly fine with a simple dining celebration. And make sure to invite Kian. I miss that guy."
"Sure. Anything else?" she asked, her concern for my well-being matching my concern for hers.
"Nothing," I chuckled, feeling touched by her caring nature. I couldn't help but appreciate everything she was doing for me. "Thank you so much for worrying about me." I reached out for her and pulled her into a warm embrace. She giggled wholeheartedly and hugged me back. "I love you, Carms."
"I know. I love you too, Sharmienne," she replied with a smile.
I had never been the clingy or overly affectionate type, but in that moment, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. Despite everything we had been through, I still had her by my side – my sister, my best friend in life. She was one of the reasons I had kept holding on, and I couldn't bear the thought of anything bad happening to her.
The day of my birthday had finally arrived, and my excitement grew as I caught sight of Kian standing at the door frame, leaning casually against it as he waited for me. I couldn't believe he had managed to come despite his busy schedule as Jake's secretary.
"Kian!" I exclaimed with joy. "You came!"
"Of course, I wouldn't miss your special day," he chuckled, lightly embracing me. As we reunited, I noticed my sister, Carmienne, helping Liene and others in preparing the dishes for the celebration.
"You've really grown, huh? You're not the little friend I had before," Kian remarked, noting the changes in me since we first became friends.
"Are you sulking?" I furrowed my brow, but couldn't help but sarcastically chuckle at his comment. I did miss those times when I used to stutter and feel nervous when talking to people, but I had grown and overcome that shyness over time. Still, I couldn't help but wonder if they missed my old self. "I am still me."
Kian rolled his eyes playfully. "You know what I mean," he said, a hint of fondness in his voice.
As Kian pulled me to the table set for our dinner, I felt relieved that Jake was not present. It allowed us to spend the evening together without any awkwardness or unnecessary tension.
"Let's eat, everyone," Carmienne called out, extending the invitation to even the maids. Lorecia and Liene, two of the maids present, stood slightly off to the side. Kian glanced at them and then addressed the two.
"You should join us too," Kian urged, gesturing for them to come closer. 
Lorecia seemed taken aback, her surprise evident as she looked at Kian, clearly recognizing him for the first time. Her role as a maid might have made her feel unworthy of dining with us. Kian, however, didn't seem to share that perspective.
Liene, seemingly hesitant, replied, "Uh, no. I am just a mere servant of this mansion."
"That doesn't matter," he insisted warmly, dismissing the class differences. "Tonight, we're all celebrating together, as friends."
Kian furrowed his brow but didn't press further, respecting Liene's hesitation. Meanwhile, Carmienne smiled knowingly as she glanced at Liene, indicating that she was aware of the situation and perhaps even knew more about Liene's feelings or background.
"Just get your food from the kitchen and have your dinner," Carmienne said softly, understanding Liene's distance from her. The two of them bowed their heads respectfully before walking away. "She's still avoiding us," Carmienne sighed, feeling a bit puzzled by Liene's behavior.
"I don't even know the reason why she works here," Kian muttered, expressing his frustration. "I still couldn't figure it out."
"Don't stress yourself, Kian," I said, trying to offer him some comfort. 
Carmienne's thoughtful gesture touched my heart as she handed me a small, carefully wrapped box during our dinner. I felt a hint of excitement just from the sight of it. 
"You don't need to bother with this, but... thank you," I said, my eyes sparkling with appreciation.
"It's a simple present, Sha," she chuckled modestly. I eagerly unwrapped the gift, revealing a beautiful gold necklace with a pendant bearing my initials: S.H.G.V.
"It's stunning," I remarked, genuinely touched by her gift. 
Kian, too, was impressed and offered to put the necklace on for me. I gladly accepted, feeling a sense of warmth at his gentle gesture. 
"It looks beautiful on you," he complimented.
"Thank you," I replied, admiring the necklace once more. As I examined it, I noticed a small red dot attached to the pendant, almost invisible to the naked eye unless seen up close. I raised an eyebrow, curious about its purpose. "What's this red dot for?"
"It's a tracker, for emergency purposes," Kian explained. I nodded, though a hint of suspicion lingered in my mind. The reason for such a precaution intrigued me, but I decided not to dwell on it for now. "I'll give you my gift then," she added, diverting the attention away from the tracker.
The sudden entrance of Jake with a bleeding person clinging to his arms startled all of us. We immediately stood up, concern etched on our faces. The injured person looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I had seen him before.
"What happened to him?" Carmienne asked, her natural instinct to help kicking in. She moved to assist Jake, but he abruptly stopped her.
"Don't touch him," Jake snapped, his annoyance evident. It was as if a protective switch had been flipped, and he didn't want Carmienne touching anyone else.
"He needs help," I interjected, worried about the injured man's condition.
"He's fine," Jake replied curtly, but his clenched jaw and the faint tremor in his hands betrayed his true emotions.
"Let's call for a doctor or an ambulance," Kian suggested, sensing the urgency of the situation. "Who is he, Mr. Hart?" inquired Kian formally, addressing his boss. 
Jake glanced at him, his jaw clenching upon seeing his secretary. His gaze shifted to Carmienne and then settled on me. He didn't bother answering Kian, instead, he smirked at me.
"He might be familiar to you, Sharmienne."
I furrowed my brow, about to scrutinize the guy when he turned his head towards me upon hearing my name. Our eyes met, and his brown eyes locked onto mine. He... he was my classmate back then.
"Z-zian?"
"Tsk," he scoffed and looked away. "Just leave me alone, Hart."
"This brat. You don’t even want to greet your sister a 'Happy Birthday?'" Jake taunted him. "You're a harsh older brother."
"The fuck are you talking about?" Zian hissed, but then he groaned, clutching his head. "Damn. I don't have a sister."
"Sister?" I asked, feeling like the strings were slowly weaving a knot into their web. It didn't make sense to me... unless he's a...
"My surprise gift: Zian Galvosa," he smirked as his eyes locked with mine. "Happy birthday, Sharmienne."