I hate her

"Honey, are you okay? I heard your car broke down earlier." Danica asked the young man worriedly as she entered his office.

Steven is used to Danica's endearment. But he seemed to suddenly feel awkward with it now.

"I called you earlier but you didn't answer, so I was even more worried. Then I called Tony and he told me what happened." She explained to the young man. She knew he didn’t want her to know his every move, especially when he was outside.

"I wss in the middle of a meeting when you called." His response to Danica was cold.

Danica sighed. When the tone of the young man's voice was like that, she knew he didn't want to talk anymore.

"I called our daughter and she was looking for you." She changes the subject to regain the young man's attention.

Steven's facial expression softened slightly, remembering his princess. "I will call her."

Danica couldn't do anything when Steven gave her a look of dismissal. He does not want others to see how he can be a father to his child. A bitter smile flashed on Danica's lips as she walked out of Steven's office. To this day, the young man is still cold to her. He acts heartless to everyone and even to her. He just became tender and smiled when he is with his daughter.

"Daddy!" Daniela called to her father enthusiastically after answering the call. "I miss you, Daddy!"

Steven smiled seeing the child's gentle face from the screen. They are using a video call so he could see her face freely.

"I miss you too, baby! Did you finish your breakfast and lunch?" he asked the child tenderly.

"Yes, Daddy! Where's my Mom?"

Steven glanced at the door Danica had walked out of. She was no longer there, thus he returned his attention to his daughter. "Your Mommy just came out and she has something important to do."

A forced smile flashed on Daniela's lips. She was sad not because she couldn't speak to her mother, but because Danica would certainly not be pleased with her again. She always tells her that she should look for her whenever she is having a phone call with her father.

"Does my baby have a problem?" Steven asked the girl when he noticed the sadness on her face.

"Nothing, Daddy. I just miss Mommy too." Daniela lies to her father.

Steven sighed as he stared at the child's face. Her real mother re-entered his mind.

"Mommy and I will be home early today, so don't be sad." He coaxed the child, he was not in the mood to pretend to be sweet to Danica in front of the camera just to make Daniela happy.

"Yehey! Thank you, Daddy!" She thanked her father cheerfully. When her father hung up, she quickly jumped on her bed and looked for her grandmother.

AT Kanor's house, Sean has been quiet since his grandfather showed him the picture of his father. His mother did not know about this and should not know because she would be angry with his grandfather. From the moment he had his own mind, he never dared to ask his mother about his father. Now that he knew what his father looks like, he needs to be aware of him.

Kanor watched Sean intently. He thinks like an adult and is very smart. He also knows how to hide his true emotions or feelings.

"For now, you can't be seen by anyone from your father's family because your sibling might be harmed." Kanor reminds the child.

"I hate her!" Sean glared at the woman next to his father in the picture.

"I also loathe her. But we need to keep quiet for now for the sake of your mother and siblings." Kanor explained to him.

Sean gritted his teeth and quickly averted his gaze from his sister in the picture. He could not accept that she was happy with the woman who tried to kill their mother.

Kanor understood how the child felt. He kept no secret from him because he knew he would make way for him to know the truth anyway. He is young but knows a lot about computers. His son in Canada trained him in activities that would have been reserved for adults.

"I know my sister is also smart, I want to go to the same school where she's studying." Sean asked the old man seriously.

"Would you like to share what is on your mind?" Kanor asked the boy with a smile.

"I need a partner to help Mommy find our missing sibling. But let's keep this a secret, Grandpa. I don't want Mommy to worry about us."

"But what if they discover your true identity when your father sees you? You know that you look so much like your father." Kanor is hesitant about what Sean wants to happen.

"Trust me, Grandpa. I will do something so our similarities won't be noticed."

Kanor is surprised by the child's attitude. He decided to just let him and support him. He once approached Daniela when her caretaker was careless. Like Sean, his sister is also smart. Thinking of the third child that they could not find, Kanor sighed. He prayed that she has a good life.

Danica was delighted when Steven visited her in her office. It was his first time doing that and everyone around them would look at her with envy. As a department manager, no one dares to ask about the true state of her relationship with the CEO of the company. No one tries to talk behind her back about being an instant mother to Steven’s daughter. Everyone respects her and looks up to her. But she knows they are wondering why Steven hasn't married her yet even though they know they are already living under the same roof.

"Daniela wants us to go home early and together today."

Danica's happiness suddenly diminished when she heard the young man's reason why he was there. But she kept her smile.

"I'll wait for you in the parking lot," Steven said before turning around and not waiting for her answer.

Danica irritatedly clean her things and hurried to follow Steven. He didn't even wait for her to show everyone that he was sweet to her.

"Wow, Ma'am, it looks like you have a date with Mr. CEO!" Her assistant teased her after she left the office.

The joy returned to Danica's face and she smiled at Rochelle. She knows her personality, especially her bad side when she is angry.

"We just need to go somewhere for the last preparation of our engagement party." Danica intentionally raised her voice to be heard by the employees who secretly envied her.

"Good luck, Ma'am and best wishes in advance!" The employees simultaneously congratulated Danica.

With a wide smile, Danica turned around and followed Steven. Nothing can stop her from being the legal wife of the person everyone looks up to. Apart from being handsome, he is also the richest man in the Philippines.

From inside the car, Nicole watched Danica get in Steven's car. Her former friend looked very happy. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel and stared sharply at the departing car.

"I can't let you be happy forever while I'm having a hard time looking for my missing child! You'll regret using me just to achieve your dream!" Nicole talked to herself.

When Steven's car was out of sight, she decided to visit her parents. She still resents them, but as a daughter, she loves them. However, she wasn't ready to show up to them yet.

Their house have not changed. Her parents were quiet and seemed to have no intention of going out, so she could not see them. It was getting dark all around, so Nicole decided to take her leave. She traveled for a long time and there was traffic on the road.

When she got home, her son was still awake and waiting for her. She completely lost her tiredness when he smiled at her and hugged her.

"Have you had dinner, Mommy?" Sean asked his mother softly.

Nicole shook her head in tears. Because many things occupied her mind earlier, she had forgotten to eat. Only now did she feel hungry.

"You shouldn't let yourself go hungry." Sean rebuked his mother like an adult.

Smiling, Nicole let the boy walk her into the kitchen. He didn't want her to move and just told her to sit down. He helped the maid prepare her food. Her son knows everything, so she didn't have to always worry about leaving him alone. He also knows how to cook simple meals when needed and has been careful with the things he does. He always says that he does not want her to be afraid and cries when he has an accident or has become careless.

"Thank you for taking care of me, sweetheart!" She kissed the child on the cheek before starting to eat.

Sean didn't leave in front of his mother until she was done with the meal. From time to time, she gave him a spoonful and even though he was full, he accepted it so that his mother will have more appetite. Sean loves his mother so much and he knows what she went through to live with him.

From the kitchen entrance, Kanor happily watched the two eat. He just approached her after she was done eating and Sean also went back to his own room.

"How was your day?"

Nicole smiled at the gentleman before answering. "Everything went according to my plan, Dad. I'm so excited to face Danica again tomorrow."

Kanor smiled proudly at his adopted daughter. He knew she was wise from the start. But because of her love for her former friend before, she always tolerates the latter. She would rather let Danica to be on top always to have academic achievements for her parents to be proud of. He knew all that because Nicole did not hide anything from him. He is happy because she has learned to fight now and face her past fears.

"Always remember that your children's lives are at risk because of this. Don't get overwhelmed by the hatred you feel." Kanor reminded the woman.

"Thank you, Dad! I will never forget your kindness to me and my son. I will do everything you tell me and I promise I will not disappoint you with this project."

"I'm leaving the partnership with Mr. Scout to you. Remember to keep work separated from your personal motive in approaching him." He reminded her again.

She nodded at the gentleman with a smile. When it comes to business, he didn't want her to take it lightly. One of the gentleman's dreams is to be able to partner with the country's best businessman. And this is the opportunity. It was like killing two birds with one stone.

Tony just found out something new from the maid about Danica. About how she got close to Steven's family so easily. Kanor changes their subject.

Nicole listened intently to the gentleman's news. She was grateful because somehow they had an eye on the Scouts.

"According to the maid, Danica just suddenly showed up at the mansion and introduced herself as a former friend of Rita who was with her in a remote area."

Nicole's forehead furrowed and she was familiar with some parts of the maid's story to Tony.

"Rita's friend's name is Nica."

Nicole was shocked when she heard the name mentioned by the gentleman. Her eyes widened as she stared at him and couldn't believe what she heard.