A/N: Happy reading, guys! The lockdown was lifted here in France yesterday so we finally went back to work too. What about in your country? I hope that you guys are okay. Stay safe!

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CHRISTINE's POV

When I arrived home, I entered the house like I wasn't myself. I wanted nothing but to get out of New York. I felt like if I didn't do that, I would suffocate and go crazy.

My family had been telling me to undergo a therapy so that I would finally move on but for some reason, I couldn't. I felt like if I forgot about the pain, I would forget everything about my son too. Maybe because of the fact that I felt like I deserved this pain. I felt like I didn't have the right to be happy.

Yes, aside from the fact that I've been blaming Jace of what happened to our son, I've been blaming myself as well. If I wasn't such a weak person, I could've saved JC.

If only I knew that something like that would happen, I could've done something to protect him. There's many what ifs but I could only think about it because no matter what I do, JC is already gone. There's no point of undergoing any therapy because nothing could ever cure that kind of pain that have already etched in my heart until I die.

My heart tightened of the thought. I was about to ascend the stairs when I heard someone spoke behind me.

"What happened, darling? You look like you're not yourself." My father asked with a serious expression on his face. Suddenly, I felt my tears fall. I slowly turned around to face him and I could see him tighten his jaw upon seeing my reddish and puffy eyes.

He opened his arms and I let myself get enveloped in his embrace. I thought I already cried everything out before I came home but I was wrong because my tears fell like an unstoppable waterfall.

When it comes to JC, all my strength leaves my body and I couldn't contain my tears from falling. Nothing really beats the pain of losing your own child, especially that nothing could've prepared me of that unfortunate incident. He was taken away from me and because of that, I could no longer hug nor touch him.

I could no longer have the chance to witness him grow up and go to school because those monsters deny him those.

"Shhh. Cry all you want if you think that this could lessen your pain, darling. I'm here for you." Daddy whispered and then kissed the top of my head. I cried on his chest like a child until my tears finally stopped. I heard my father call for Nancy and asked for a glass of water for me.

"Drink this. It will help you calm down." I did as I was told and he was right. It did help me calm down a little bit.

"Thank you, nana." I said to Nancy when I gave her back the already empty glass. She grimaced and then gently squeezed my hand, sending her support.

"Don't mention it, Maggie. Just call me when you need something." She said and then went back to her duties.

"Are you felling okay now, darling?" My father questioned tenderly and I slowly nodded my head.

"Daddy, I think I need to go back to Houston before I lose my mind here. I'm sorry that I'm being selfish again, thinking only about myself, but I can't take it. It still hurts like hell." I admitted and then bit my lower lip.

His forehead furrowed. "Why? What happened?"

I released a breath. "I-I went to our house, intending to talk to Jace, but I couldn't because when I saw the house, the past came back to me. It only reminded me of what happened to JC. Now, I feel like if I stayed here for another day, I would lose my mind." My voice cracked upon uttering the name of my son.

My father's face softened. "Don't be sorry because I understand. I know that three years aren't enough for you to totally move on from what happened in the past and I won't rush you to do so because I know it's difficult. But for me, it's better for you to face the reality and don't run away from it because that's a cowardly act. Running away won't do you any good, darling." I shook my head, determined to do what I just said.

"I don't think I have the strength and the will to face this harsh reality, daddy. I know I'm being a coward of this decision of mine to leave again but I'm doing this to save myself from losing my sanity. I can't bear staying here like nothing happened." I heard my father heave a sigh. He was about to say something when my mother, Marky and Maggie suddenly appeared.

It looked like they came from the balcony. Maggie was the one who was pushing the wheelchair of my mother while Marky was sitting on the lap of his grandmother. I couldn't help but to chuckle even though I was feeling down.

Marky really loves riding with his grandma on the wheelchair. He always acts like he's on a car racing bout whenever he's on the wheelchair with mommy. He even makes sounds, imitating a racing car's sound while acting like he's driving.

"Are you sure with this decision of yours, darling?" My mother asked. I didn't know that they were just nearby and listening to us. I bit my lower lip and then slowly nodded my head.

"I-I'm sorry, mommy. I know that I promised to stay until you fully recovered but—" Before I could complete what I was going to say, she interrupted me.

"Don't be, darling. I fully understand. If you think that this could help you heal then go ahead. We'll always be here, waiting for your return when you're finally ready to come back to us. I'm not in the right position to tell you what to do because you're the one who's feeling the pain. Just come home when you're finally ready to face the shadows of your past." She said in understanding.

I'm really lucky to have them as my parents. They've been the best parents for me and Maggie and I couldn't ask for more.

A small smile appeared my lips. I approached her and Marky and then enveloped them in my arms.

"Thank you, mommy for always understanding me." I said emotionally.

"Auntie, are you crying?" Marky asked with his cute little eyebrows creased. He looked worried. He even touched my cheek. I stared at my nephew.

JC was only six months older than Marky and if he was still alive, they would've been playmates for sure. He could've been a big brother to his cousin.

"Auntie Tin is fine, Marky boy." I answered and then kissed him on the cheek. He's such a darling.

"Don't worry about mommy, Tin. Since we'll be staying here in New York for good, I will come here more often to make sure that she's fine." Maggie said while gazing at me with concern look on her face. I smiled at her.

"Thank you, Mags. Thank you, mommy, daddy, for being so understanding all these years. Thank you because you've been always there for me to lean on."

"You don't have to thank us, darling. We love you and we only want the best for you." My mother answered and then hugged me again.

Feeling my family's warm support made me feel better. Thankfully, I have them because if not, I would've lose my mind for sure.

That night, I flew to Houston on our private jet. My father decided to stay with my mother and finish his vacation before he comes back to Houston.

When I arrived at our house, I thought the heavy feeling in my chest would disappear but it didn't. I couldn't even sleep that night because my mind was full of the past. I felt so empty and sad. The silence around me just made me feel cold and lonelier that I already was.

I looked at the picture frame that was on top of my bedside table and then took it.

I touched it emotionally and traced the picture with my forefinger while staring at the picture full of longing and love.

"I love you, sweetheart. Mommy will always love you. You will remain in my heart forever." I whispered and then kissed the picture of my son before hugging it to my chest. Upon doing that, I instantly felt calm and better, thinking that JC was the one I was hugging until I finally fell asleep.

The next day, I stayed home. I've decided to finish my vacation before going back to work. Even the next 14 days, I spent it inside the house. I didn't feel like going out. I didn't even inform my friends that I already came back to Houston.

I wanted to be alone in order to prepare myself on going back to work without breaking down in front of my employees. The last night before I go back to work, I was in the living room, eating strawberries when the telephone rang.

I huffed and then answered it.

"Hello?" I said but no one answered. My forehead knitted.

"Hello?" I repeated it three time but I didn't hear any answer. I grew irritated to the caller.

"If you don't have anything to do, don't disturb me!" I hissed and then ended the call. I then continued eating my strawberries.

"Hmmm. Delicious." I muttered happily upon eating another one. I didn't know why but it has been a couple of days since I started eating strawberries. It never was my favorite before but now, i realized that it actually tastes delicious.

I continued watching the film that I was watching with a calm mood.

Then, my vacation finally was finally over and I needed to go back to work.

That morning, I woke up feeling tired and still sleepy. I didn't know why but I felt like I didn't sleep at all last night. I wanted to sleep more but I knew that I couldn't do that. My work was waiting for me. After showering and got dressed, I went downstairs to eat breakfast.

"Good morning, Miss. Christine. Your breakfast is ready." Mel, our maid, greeted me with a smile. I smiled back and then thanked her. I sat down and was about to begin eating when I suddenly began feeling funny.

"Mel, what did you put in this soup?" I said as I smelled the soup. I always like eating soup in breakfast that's why Mel always prepares one for me.

"Just the usual, Miss. Why? Isn't it good?" She answered worriedly and was about to approach me when I suddenly had the urge to throw up. Before I could have the opportunity to answer her question, I ran towards the washroom and vomited there until I felt like my knees turned into jelly.

When I finally finished, I washed my face and then gargled with water. I then stared at my face in the mirror. I looked stressed out. I couldn't help but to get confused of what was happening to me. Was it because I didn't have enough sleep that I'm feeling this way?

Then, my heart started beating like a drum as I covered my mouth with my palm when I realized something.

"N-No...I'm just not feeling well today. Yes, this is normal. Maybe, this is because of the strawberries that I ate last night. Tomorrow, I'll be feeling a lot better for sure." I tried convincing myself like an idiot and then took a clean towel to wipe my wet face. I released the breath that I didn't know I was holding before going back to the dining room.

While walking toward there, I wasn't myself.

"Are you okay, Miss?" Mel asked while gazing at me worriedly. She looked restless. I forced a smile and then nodded my head.

"Don't worry, Mel. I'm fine now. I'll just take a medicine. I'm sure, I'll be feeling better soon." Mel's lips parted, signifying that she wanted to say something but then nothing came out of her mouth aside from,

"Okay, Miss." She then went back to her duties. I gulped inaudibly as I looked at my food. The soup wasn't there anymore. It looked like Mel already put it away. I sighed in relief and decided to try to eat the remaining food. Thankfully, nothing happened until I finished my meal.

After that, I brushed my teeth and then put on a make up before going to the office. The employees greeted me with smiles on their faces upon seeing me and I greeted them back.

The moment I arrived in my office, I put my bag on top of the table and was about to sit on my swivel chair when I heard a knock at the slightly ajar door.

"Hi. May I come in?" A smile appeared on my face when I saw who it was. Greg.

"Sure. Come in." I answered and then motioned for him to sit on the visitor's area of my office. I stood up and then went there.

"Wow! You look better than ever." He praised while gazing at me in awe. I raised an eyebrow at him. I was aware that I looked stressed out because I did nothing but to mope around in my house these past twenty days.

"C'mon, Greg. You can be honest with me."

"I am honest. You're beautiful." I chuckled. He looked worried, thinking that he might've offended me.

"Well, thank you." He sighed in relief and then turned serious. He then brought out his phone.

"Anyway, I brought you something but I forgot it in my office. I'll just call someone to bring it over. Sorry about being so forgetful." I couldn't help but to laugh.

"Well, go ahead. I don't mind." He then dialed on his phone and instructed someone to get his present for me from his office.

"So, how's your vacation anyway?" He asked casually after he made that quick call. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Fine. My mom is getting healthier with each passing day." I answered simply.

"Really? That's good news. At least, you can work without getting worried about her."

"Yeah, you can say that." He smiled. To my surprised, he suddenly took my hand and then looked into my eyes.

"I missed you." I didn't know why but I suddenly wanted to hit my head because my heart didn't react one bit. Greg is a good guy and handsome too. Many employees in our company likes him but for some reason, my foolish heart never reacted to him even if I wanted to.

I groaned inwardly and didn't know what to say. I didn't want to hurt him.

"Christine, did you hear what I've said?" He asked and I was about to answer when we heard a series of knocks on the door. It was my EA.

"Miss, there's a delivery for you." My lips parted when I saw the big bouquet of flowers that she was holding. It was too big that I couldn't even see my EA's face. It was so beautiful.

"Wow! This is so beautiful, Greg." I said in awe and then accepted the flowers. I thanked my EA and then smelled the heavenly scents of the different flowers of the bouquet. All of the flowers there were my favorites.

"That's not my present for you." The smile on my face disappeared as my eyebrows furrowed upon hearing what Greg said. I looked at my EA questioningly and was about to ask her who gave the bouquet when I saw someone at the doorway, looking at me with a serious expression on his face.

His hands were shoved in the pockets of his trousers. He looked so handsome with his outfit. His face was neatly styled with a gel and he looked so neat. Yes, he looked great but I could already sense the radiating jealousy from him.

That familiar dangerous look on his face sent me cold shivers down my spine. Knowing him, I could already tell that he was thinking thousands of ways to intimidate Greg judging by the way his eyes furtively zeroed on Greg.

"I'm glad you liked it, mi amor." I almost threw away the bouquet upon hearing his voice. I blinked a couple of times, thinking that he was just a fragment of my imagination, but he was still there. I gulped inwardly when he began sauntering toward me.

The beating of my heart became faster. I was holding my breath the whole time, waiting for his next move. I've never expected for him to actually come here to Houston.

Even though I was undeniably affected of his presence, I tried my best to hide that. I raised mt chin and then met his gaze.

"What are you doing here, Mr. Montejo? As far as I remember, you don't have an appointment with me." I uttered sternly and I almost sighed in relief because I managed to say that without stammering.

The corner of his lips twitched. "I don't need an appointment to see my wife." His tone made me irritated. I was about to retaliate but I didn't expect the next thing he did.

Before I could react, he suddenly drew his face closer to mine and pecked my lips with a gentle kiss. My eyes widened and my body went still, couldn't move at all. I couldn't believe that he actually did that in front of my EA and Greg! 

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What do you think is the reason why Christine threw up?

Now that Christine went back to Houston, is it a good idea for Jace to follow her?

What do you think will happen to this two next?

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