A/N: OMG! the next chapter is the EPILOGUE...

JEWEL's POV

I slowly opened my eyes and the first thing that I noticed was the white ceiling. I squeezed my eyes shut for a couple of seconds, trying to adjust my eyes to the brightness of the surroundings. When my eyes finally adjusted, I looked around me and tried to get up but I felt so weak. The first thing that I noticed in my body was the uncomfortable feeling on my lower regions.

Then I saw Zander sleeping next to me with his left cheek resting on the bed while sitting on the chair. He was holding my hand. I looked at him lovingly. He looked haggard and tired but he's still so handsome even in his sleep.

The way his forehead knitted, he seemed troubled.

"L-Love..." I shook his shoulder gently in order to wake him up. When I called him the third time, he finally woke up and when he noticed that I was already awake, his eyes widened and before I could say anything, he got up from his chair and hugged me.

"Thank God, you're finally awake. Are you okay? Do you feel any pain?" I chuckled softly because of his questions. He kissed my temple and forehead a couple of times before he pulled away from me and cupped my face.

"Wait for me here, love. I'll call the doctor" I nodded my head.

After about two minutes, the doctor arrived.

"You need a lot of bed rest, Mrs. Montealegre especially of what happened. You shouldn't force yourself to get up for now and be sure to eat properly for your fast recovery. I'll prescribe you some medicine so that you'll be out here in no time" I smiled at her and nodded my head. But something of what she said suddenly bothered me.

"What happened to me, doctor? I mean, am I alright? Is there something wrong with my body?" I asked as fear started to creep throughout of my body. I felt like something happened that I wouldn't want to know for sure because it would hurt me. The doctor looked at Zander and they shared a strange stare with each other. I saw Zander shook his head and the doctor nodded her head.

"I'll leave this matter to you then, Mr. Montealegre" The doctor said before she said her goodbye to us.

Zander sat back on the chair and held my hand. He looked like he aged for a couple years. He kept on sighing and obviously having a hard time starting to explain to me.

"Love, just tell me what's wrong. You're killing me" I said with a hoarse voice. I felt my throat hurt because of dryness but I didn't bother asking for water. I felt like I need to know everything first. I tried to get up and Zander panicked.

"Don't get up, love. You heard what the doctor said"

"Then tell me what happened to me! If you're not going to explain to me everything, I'll ask the doctor directly" I said with a stern voice. I groaned inwardly when I felt my lower region ached. I stopped moving and breathed in and I out until the pain subsided.

He heaved a sigh for the nth time before he decided to start talking.

"Love...You had a----" He swallowed hard and I saw his eyes watered.

"You had a miscarriage" He said quickly and that didn't register in my head right away. I felt like my body turned numb and my brain stopped working. I was aware that my heart was thumping so fast that I almost got deafened. My brain became hazy. It felt like time has stopped.

How did that happened? I didn't even know that I was pregnant and now he's telling me that I had a miscarriage! I lost my baby---our baby...

"Jewel..." Zander called me worriedly and shook my shoulder. Then after a couple of seconds without any reaction, tears fell from my eyes uncontrollably. The pain surged like a tidal wave and it really broke every pieces of my heart. My hands covered my mouth as my sobs became louder until I was already crying so hard.

Zander hugged me tightly and tried to console me with soothing words but I couldn't stop myself from feeling the pain. It really hurts like hell!

I didn't know when Zander called the doctor and nurses. The only thing that registered on my mind before they injected something in my arm and lose consciousness was the pain in my chest. It was unbearable and I knew that feeling because I've experienced it before.

It was the same feeling I felt years ago when they told me that my daughter was dead when I gave birth to her. It was the exact feeling. I thought that I would never experience this kind of pain and sadness again but I was wrong. It happened again.

Even though I experienced it years ago, I was still lucky because Camila was alive. I got her back in my life. But this is different. Whatever I do, I'll never have the chance to see my baby grow because she was deprived to do so before she even had the chance grow up in my belly.

Before sleep totally consumed me, I saw Zander with a very sad expression while comforting me.

****

I didn't' know how many hours I've slept before I woke up but one thing didn't change since I closed my eyes to sleep. The pain, sadness and tears were still there.

"Love, please stop crying. I can't bear seeing you like this" Zander said. He was lying beside me while hugging me. My head was resting on his chest while my arms were around him. I felt his hand rubbing my back gently, trying to comfort me. He was kissing my forehead from time to time. I knew he was feeling the same pain that I was feeling but he became strong for the two of us.

He was there for me and didn't leave me alone until I've finally managed to calm down.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything to save you on time, love" Zander said guiltily. Tears brimmed from my eyes again but I tried my best to contain them.

"You don't have to say sorry, love. I should thank you because you did everything to save me" Then my eyes widened when I remembered something.

"How's Helena and daddy? What about the others?" Zander's arms tightened around me even more before he answered.

"Helena's fine. She came over this morning but you were still sleeping. The others that Daniel kidnapped were safely returned to their homes"

"What about daddy?" He heaved a sigh before he answered.

"H-He's out of danger now"

"What happened to him?" I questioned in panic.

"He---He was shot by Lovely. Lovely was aiming for the two of us but your father jumped in front of u" My fists tightened in intense anger. How could Lovely do this to us?! She almost killed us all. She and Daniel should rot in jail!

"Daniel and Lovely are also in this hospital but they're fine now. They'll go to jail as soon as they get out of here. I'll make sure of that!" The rage in Zander's eyes were exploding. Even I, felt rage towards them because of what they did. It's only right for them to pay the consequences of their actions.

"I want to see daddy" Zander shook his head.

"No. The doctor said that you should stay in bed for now until you recover. Don't worry, love. Your father is okay. He's out of danger now so you should rest. I have a surprise for you tomorrow and in order for you to have it, follow my order for now. Okay?" There was a finality in his voice that I couldn't do anything other than to nod my head. At least, the fear for my father's life was gone knowing that he's alive and okay.

"Okay but please stay with me until I fall asleep" He smiled lovingly.

"Of course, love. I'll stay here by your side whether you want me to or not" A smile broke on my lips. Thank God Zander is with me because I wouldn't know what to do if something bad happened to him. Now, I felt a lot better because he's here beside me and didn't leave me. He consoled me and offered his arms until I finally felt better.

****

The next day, I was so happy because Helena came to visit me and she wasn't alone. She's with Camila. Apparently, Zander asked Helena to pick up Camila from Stephen's rest house where she stayed for two days together with her nanny Rita and guards that Stephen assigned. It was his surprise for me.

"Mommy, this is for you. I made this while waiting for you to come home" I felt so touched and overjoyed when I saw her drawing. It was a drawing of a house and a family of three was standing in front of it. She even colored it. Even though it was just a drawing made by a child, it was so beautiful and special for me. At the top part of the drawing was a short message written by her...

I love mommy and daddy.

From: Camila

I felt emotional all of a sudden upon reading that.

"Come here, baby" I patted the space on my left side and beaconed her to sit. Zander helped her in order for her to sit properly.

"Thank you, baby. You made mommy happy" I said and embraced her. She embrace me back.

I missed her so much. While I was held captive by Daniel, I was thinking for her and Zander. They're the reason I tried my best to survive and fight because I wanted to be with them. I didn't want to leave them. Even though the baby in my stomach didn't make it, there's still a reason for me to be happy. My daughter and husband are still with me. I felt so thankful for that.

"I love you, mommy"

"I love you too, sweetheart" I kissed her forehead adoringly. Helena and Zander were watching us with smile on their faces. Camila stayed in my arms until she fell asleep.

"I'll put her down to the couch" Zander said and was about to lift her up when Camila groaned in protest as her arms tightened around me.

"No...I want...mommy" She murmured which made Zander chuckle.

"I guess, she missed you a lot"

"Just let her sleep here" I said and stroked her hair gently. Zander smiled and then sat on the chair next to the bed, looking at us lovingly. The three of us talked for about 30 minutes and the atmosphere was light because nobody mentioned about what happened until Helena started it.

"I visited Lovely yesterday. She's already awake" I gritted my teeth upon hearing her name. I couldn't believe that this kind of hatred that I felt before came back again. What did I even do wrong for people to try and take my babies away from me? First, my father made me believe that Camila died. Now, Daniel and Lovely were the reason why I lost the baby in my stomach.

"It's nice that she didn't die because I want her to rot in jail together with Daniel. They should pay for what they've done!" Zander stood up and slowly sat on my right side. I felt him held my hand as if he was telling me to calm down.

"Don't worry. Daniel, Lovely and Vanessa are going to pay" My eyes widened.

"Your ex was there too?!" Zander nodded his head. My jaw flexed in anger. I didn't know what to think. These people are crazy!

"How did you find our location, love? You didn't tell me yet" I asked instead of asking why his ex was there. I didn't want to talk about her anymore.

"It was all because of your father. He helped us"

"What? How?"

"He knew about Daniel's plans because he paid one of Daniel's men to spy for him. He knew that Daniel could forcefully take you because he's so obsessed with you. The man he paid to spy for him managed to report everything he knew without being caught. Then your father informed us and the rest was a history" I stared at him lovingly.

"Thank you again, love" He smiled and gave me a peck on the lips. He was about to say something when Lovely cleared her throat before she spoke.

"But what surprised me most was what Lovely told me when she saw me. She was asking for the two of you. She wants to talk to you"

"I don't want to see her" I said with a stern voice. Helena nodded her head and didn't say anything more. Then Zander opened another topic to lighten up the mood again. Then after about an hour, Helena went home.

When Camila woke up, Zander drove her home because it was already getting late. She didn't want to leave me but I convinced her until I managed to persuade her to go home. I promised her that I would come home sooner than she thinks.

She gave me a tight hug and kiss on the cheeks before she finally went out of the room with Zander but not after making me promise again that I would be coming soon.

****

1 MONTH AFTER

"Are you sure you're going to do this?" Zander asked me while waiting at the visitor's area of the prison. I heaved a sigh and then tilted up my head with a determined look.

"Yes. I want to talk to her" Zander nodded his head in understanding. After a minute or two, a policeman accompanied her before he left her with us.

She didn't say anything while staring at us in disbelief. She didn't even sit down and there was a strange emotion in her eyes that I couldn't explain.

"I'm glad you two came" Yes. She'd been asking for us to come here and talk to her but I couldn't do it because I didn't want to see anymore. She said to Helena that she wanted to talk to us but I ignored it until my father pleaded me to come.

He visited Lovely here the other day and they had a proper talk. My father told me everything that they've talked about and I was surprised when I learned that she asked for forgiveness of what she did to him.

My father already forgave her. After their talk, he came over to our house and asked me to come and talk to Lovely. I didn't like the idea of seeing her at first but I decided to come and hear whatever explanation she has. Maybe, just maybe after this, we could all move on.

"What do you want to tell me?" I asked emotionlessly. She bit her lower lip and she looked tensed and anxious about something. She didn't say anything for how many seconds and that pissed me off. I was about to stand up from my seat and just go out of the room when she finally answered.

"I know I have done enough damage already but-----" She took a deep breath like she was trying to calm herself before she continued.

"I just want to s-sorry for all that I've done. I know I can no longer take it back but---"

"Yes! You can no longer take it back and I won't ever forgive you and Daniel for what you did to us!" I yelled in rage. I couldn't control my anger anymore. I felt like a volcano ready to erupt. I felt Zander's hand on my back like he was trying to calm me down.

"All my life, I've been nothing but an extra baggage. Nobody wanted me except my mother. When she died, I felt like I've lost everything because she was the only person who loved me unconditionally. When I lost her, I began to feel alone and nobody really cared about me. I got used of being alone. I thought nobody would really acknowledge me and I didn't care about it at first. I've accepted it. When I became a teacher, I thought I've finally found what I was looking for. I was contented with my life while teaching children.

"Then one day, I finished late at the school. When I came out of the gate, three men approached me and tried to drag me to the back part of the school. I knew they were planning to do something bad to me but I couldn't fight or run from them because they had knives. Then all of a sudden, Zander and his men arrived and they fought the three men and defeated them" She chuckled humorlessly.

"I fell in love at first sight. I didn't know what came over me but I was determined to be with you and I promised to do anything in order for you to be mine" She was staring at Zander while saying those words. Zander remained silent though and was just listening to her.

"You probably don't remember that anymore but you made a big impact on me that day. When I learned that one of our students in the school was your daughter, I felt so happy because I had the reason to see you whenever you have time to pick her up. I was contented watching you from afar but when I learned that Jewel was your ex, I didn't know what came over me. I felt like I've gone crazy" She shifted her eyes on me. Guilt was written all over her face.

"I initially kidnapped Camila because I wanted to get her to like me before I could approach Zander. I felt like if I get Camila to like me first, I would have a chance to be with him. But I was wrong again because I learned that you're the mother of Camila and not just that, you're also my sister. I felt so frustrated and angry when I discovered that. I felt like everything was always on your side. You got everything that I wanted and I left with nothing. I became obsessed with the thought of not going to lose with you again. I felt like I had to do something in order for me to be happy too, just like you.

"When Daniel asked me to help him with his plan, I agreed because I wanted to get everything that you have which I didn't have the privilege to experience having. I felt like you were so lucky in everything while I on the other hand was very unfortunate. I pitied myself because I had nothing. I was alone. That was all that I could think that time. I wanted to experience how to be like you, how to be like everybody's attention was on me and what it's like to live a perfect life. I was so foolish. I didn't think that no matter what I'd do, I could never get what you have because even if I could make you disappear before their eyes, I could never take your place in their hearts" Lovely smiled bitterly and then met my eyes.

"I realized that I've been living with nothing but anger and envy in my heart until now. When I've talked to d-daddy the other day, he made me realized that I was wrong and I did a very terrible mistake. I know that what I did was unforgiveable but I still want to try saying this; please forgive me for everything. If not now, I hope that someday, you could forgive me" Her tears fell and I didn't expect her to be like this. I've never seen her this vulnerable since I've met her. My eyes widened when she suddenly knelt on her knees before me while asking for forgiveness.

I was left speechless while watching her cry like that. I've lost of any words to say. Yes. There was still anger in my heart and I didn't know when it would disappear.

"Honestly, I don't know if I could possibly forgive you for everything that you've done. I feel sorry that you had to experience all those things alone but you knew that I didn't do anything to you. You could've approached me instead and told me everything. But what did you do? You chose to hurt me and my family instead. I don't know how I can forgive you especially that I lost something very important" I said and then turned my back. Her sobs became louder and said 'sorry' for a couple of times.

I closed my eyes and then slowly walked away from that place. Zander remained inside for a couple of minutes more before he followed me outside. I didn't know why but I felt heavy. I couldn't stop the tears that fell from my eyes.

Then the next thing I knew, I was already enveloped in Zander's arms while crying on his chest. He hugged me tightly while whispering how much he loves me. 

****

Sometimes, it's really hard to forgive and forget...

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