"Anna?" Tom said, turning around. His eyes narrowed as he stared at her with suspicion.
Anna met his gaze, frozen in place.
She wanted to apologize. She wanted to explain everything. But no words came out. Her lips refused to move, and her voice abandoned her. Though her heart screamed with regret, her mind went blank, leaving her standing there in complete silence.
Tom slowly shook his head in disappointment before turning away. His eyes searched for the woman he truly loved.
Mildred was already running.
Tears streamed down her face as she fled the venue, too heartbroken and humiliated to face anyone. Her friends called after her and tried to catch up, but she ran faster, desperate to be alone. The pain, betrayal, and anger overwhelmed her, leaving her unable to think clearly.
She rushed outside and hailed a taxi.
"Ma'am, where to?" the driver asked.
"Just drive," she whispered between sobs.
Back inside, Tom hurried after her, but by the time he reached the entrance, she was gone. He looked around frantically, searching the streets, but there was no sign of her.
Meanwhile, Anna remained rooted beside Daniel, unable to move.
Mrs. Yang stormed toward her, her face burning with fury. Without a word, she grabbed a glass of red wine and hurled it across Anna's face.
The room fell silent.
Before Anna could react—
Slap!
Mrs. Yang's hand struck her hard across the cheek.
"That," Mrs. Yang said through clenched teeth, "is for destroying my son's happiness."
Anna lowered her head, too ashamed to defend herself. The sting on her face was nothing compared to the guilt crushing her heart.
Daniel immediately stepped forward and caught his grandmother's arm before she could strike Anna again.
"Grandma, that's enough," he said firmly.
Mrs. Yang glared at him but slowly lowered her hand.
Anna instinctively cupped her burning cheek. It felt hotter with every passing second.
She swallowed hard, struggling to hold back her tears. Her slender body trembled uncontrollably as panic consumed her. She wanted to run. She wanted to disappear.
But she couldn't move.
It was as if her feet had been glued to the floor. Every ounce of strength had left her body, leaving her numb and unable to escape the room.
She tried to speak, but no words came. Her tongue felt heavy, refusing to cooperate. She couldn't defend herself or explain what had happened.
She had been a victim that night.
She hadn't known anything about Chairman Yang's plan.
Desperately, Anna searched the room for Chairman Yang, hoping he would step forward and tell everyone the truth.
But he was gone.
Her eyes slowly returned to Mrs. Yang.
"You're a snake," Mrs. Yang spat before turning her back on Anna and walking out of the room.
Janeth remained silent throughout the confrontation. She looked at Anna with sympathy, seeing not a scheming woman but a frightened young girl caught in circumstances beyond her control.
Gently, Janeth squeezed Anna's arm before quietly following Mrs. Yang.
The room fell silent.
After a long moment, Daniel walked over to Anna.
Without saying a word, he carefully supported her trembling body and guided her toward the exit.
She didn't resist.
They walked in silence until they reached his sports car.
Daniel opened the passenger door for her before taking the driver's seat. He started the engine, and they drove away without exchanging a single word.
The only sounds were the steady hum of the engine and the tires rolling along the empty highway.
Anna leaned her head against the window, clutching her seat belt tightly as she stared blankly into the darkness outside.
Daniel kept both hands on the steering wheel, stealing an occasional glance at her, but he said nothing.
The silence between them felt heavier than any conversation.
Hours later, just before dawn, Daniel pulled over near Subic Bay.
The gentle sound of waves echoed through the quiet morning air.
He cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
Anna slowly turned to look at him.
Daniel tapped the steering wheel lightly before forcing a small smile.
"You know..." he began softly, "you can cry if you want."
He glanced at his car and chuckled.
"My Bumblebee can keep secrets."
He stepped out of the car, quietly closing the door behind him to give her some privacy.
Anna watched him through tear-filled eyes.
She drew a shaky breath, trying to steady herself.
For a few moments, she fought against the tears.
Then her composure finally broke.
Silent sobs escaped her lips as tears streamed down her face.
Inside the car, with no one watching, she allowed herself to cry for everything she had lost.
A couple of hours later, Anna finally stepped out of the car.
She found Daniel sitting casually on the hood, his hands resting behind him as he admired the horizon. Hearing the car door close, he turned toward her and offered a warm smile.
"Come here," he said, patting the empty space beside him.
Anna hesitated for a moment before nodding. She climbed onto the hood and sat beside him.
Silence settled between them.
"Um..." Anna softly began, wanting to say something.
"Pssst." Daniel gently interrupted her.
"Look."
He pointed toward the horizon.
"It's about to rise. I'm sure you don't want to miss it."
Anna followed his gaze and smiled faintly. She drew in a deep breath, letting the cool sea breeze calm her restless heart.
Slowly, the first rays of sunlight emerged above the horizon.
The golden sun painted the sky with shades of orange, pink, and gold. Its light shimmered across the calm waters of Subic Bay, making the ocean sparkle like a sea of diamonds. Gentle waves rolled onto the shore, kissing the gray-white sand before retreating once more.
It looked like a scene from a fairy tale.
The morning breeze whispered through the air as a flock of herons soared gracefully overhead, beginning another journey in search of food.
Daniel smiled.
"Look... it's another day."
Anna turned toward him.
"Don't let yesterday's pain steal today's happiness."
He gently tapped her shoulder.
"Every sunrise is another chance to begin again."
Anna's eyes filled with tears.
This time, she didn't fight them.
A single tear rolled down her cheek as she smiled and nodded.
Daniel carefully placed his arm around her shoulders.
Without saying a word, Anna leaned against him.
Together, they watched the sunrise in peaceful silence.
After a while, Daniel spoke again.
"From now on, whenever life gets too heavy..."
He smiled warmly.
"...you can lean on my shoulder."
He looked at her sincerely.
"If you need someone to listen, someone to cry with... I'll always be here."
Anna smiled through her tears.
"Thank you."
Daniel chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
"So... I guess you weren't lying the first day we met."
Anna looked at him curiously.
"You really are his destined one."
She playfully nudged him with her elbow.
Daniel laughed before his expression became thoughtful.
"Chairman Yang isn't the type of man who does anything without a reason."
He folded his arms.
"He's meticulous... always calculating."
He looked at Anna.
"There has to be a reason he acknowledged you as his future granddaughter-in-law."
Anna lowered her eyes toward the beach.
"I..."
She wanted to tell him everything.
The words reached her lips...
...but they never came out.
Daniel noticed her hesitation and simply sighed.
"It's okay."
He stood up and stretched.
"I bet you're starving."
He flashed his usual grin.
"Come on. Let's get something to eat."
Anna smiled gratefully before following him back to the car.
They drove to a nearby restaurant overlooking the sea.
As soon as the waiter served their meals, the delicious aroma filled the table.
Anna clasped her hands together and smiled.
"Itadakimasu."
Daniel blinked.
"Mashallah."
Anna looked at him, surprised.
"You know Japanese?"
"I know a little," she replied shyly.
Then she smiled.
"And you know Arabic?"
Daniel laughed proudly.
"Just a little."
"My ex-girlfriend taught me."
Anna raised an eyebrow.
"Ex?"
"I bet she was beautiful."
Daniel nodded dramatically.
"Oh, definitely. She was a flight attendant."
He looked at Anna and smirked.
"But you're the cutest."
Anna glared at him playfully.
"Grrr..."
Daniel burst into laughter, and before long, Anna laughed with him.
For the first time since the nightmare began...
...her laughter sounded genuine.
Daniel quietly watched her.
"I hope you keep smiling."
Anna tilted her head.
"Because when you smile..."
He smiled back.
"...you become even prettier."
Anna blushed and looked away.
"L-Let's just eat."
Daniel grinned before picking up a slice of pizza.
"Open."
"Huh?"
Before she could protest, he gently fed her a bite.
She rolled her eyes but accepted it anyway, making them both laugh again.
After breakfast, Daniel decided they shouldn't waste such a beautiful day.
They spent the morning strolling along the seaside, taking countless photos and teasing each other over who took the better selfies.
Later, they visited Zoobic Safari, where they admired exotic animals and enjoyed the mini jungle trek.
Their adventure continued at the Ocean Adventure park, where they watched dolphins leap gracefully through the water and marveled at the colorful marine life.
In the afternoon, they explored Pamulaklakin Forest, trekking beneath towering trees while learning about the area's rich history and indigenous traditions.
For the first time in a long while...
Anna forgot about her pain.
She laughed.
She smiled.
She lived in the moment.
By the time they returned home, it was already the middle of the night.
The exhausting day had done more than distract Anna.
It had given her something she thought she had lost forever—
hope.