After leaving Kerill, Charlene went straight to the police station to file a complaint against him. But the moment the officers heard his name, their expressions changed. Everyone knew the power of the Wang family—and no one wanted to stand against them.
"Your evidence isn't strong enough, miss," one officer said flatly. "We can't accept everything you claim, especially without proof."
"But, sir—" Charlene tried to protest.
"Just go home for now," another officer interrupted, giving her colleague a meaningful look. "We'll take care of it."
Charlene had no choice but to leave.
Even without saying it directly, she knew they had no intention of pursuing her case. It angered her to realize how easily money and influence could silence even the police.
As she walked away, she suddenly realized her suitcase was gone.
She collapsed onto the sidewalk and let her tears fall. She was exhausted, broken, and completely lost. Manila had not been what she imagined. For the first time, she regretted coming—but then she remembered why she had come in the first place.
To find Enan.
---
Twenty years ago…
Little Charlene lay beneath a large narra tree, staring at the bright blue sky. The sun was warm, the clouds drifting lazily above. She smiled, enjoying the peaceful moment.
"Hey, ugly! So this is where you were hiding!" Enan teased as he appeared beside her.
Charlene threw a small stick at him, but he dodged it easily.
"If that hits me, I'll tell on you!" he warned.
"Go ahead!" she replied.
They lay side by side, staring at the sky.
"I have something to tell you," Enan said quietly.
"Hm?"
"My dad wants us to move back to Manila."
Charlene froze.
"When?" she asked.
"We're leaving tomorrow."
She forced a smile. "Then let's make today count. Come to my house later—my mom is making your favorite snacks."
They spent the day running, laughing, and visiting places they had never gone before.
Before sunset, Enan handed her a handkerchief with a small letter C stitched in the center.
"Don't lose it," he said. "I'll take it back when we meet again."
That night, he came to say goodbye—but Charlene hid under her blanket, crying. Enan left without seeing her.
---
Back in the present, Charlene wiped her tears again and again.
"Are you okay?" a gentle voice asked.
She looked up and saw a man smiling at her, holding out a handkerchief.
"You okay?"
"You're from the province, right?" he added. "You look like one."
That did it.
"What's wrong with being from the province?!" Charlene snapped. "You city people act like you're better than everyone else!"
"Wait—"
"You have no right to judge me!"
She was about to lunge when another man stepped in and held her back.
"Calm down!"
Charlene turned—and saw two men.
"I was just asking if she was okay," the taller one said. "But she suddenly attacked me."
Charlene stared at him.
It was Lander—the man who had helped bring her to the hospital.
The other man smiled warmly. "My name is Black Wang."
Charlene's eyes widened.
She recognized him.
He was a famous actor.
"Oh no…" she whispered.
"I think you know me already," Black said with a grin. "You have my picture on your phone."
Mortified, Charlene turned away.
"I'm so sorry!" she blurted. "I've just had a really bad day. Some crazy rich guy even tried to force me to be his wife!"
Lander burst out laughing.
"That's her," he told Black.
Black smiled. "Then I guess you should come with us."
"Where?"
"To eat. You're hungry—and so am I."
With no strength left to refuse, Charlene followed them—unaware that Black had already informed Kerill that the woman he was looking for was now with them.