The Sin of Loving You의 모든 챕터: 챕터 31 - 챕터 40

Sabado ng umaga.Mainit ang sikat ng araw sa Davao nang dumating ang pamilya sa isang private island resort na inarkila ni Jaime para sa weekend. Isang regalo sa sarili, pero higit sa lahat, isang pahinga para sa buong pamilya.“Too much work,” sabi ni Jaime habang inaabot ang coconut juice sa asawa niyang si Celia. “We need to breathe.”Kasama nila ang tatlo, si Santino, si Ainara, at si Andres. Lahat ay naka-shades, naka-beachwear, at mukhang handa nang mag-relax.May plus one si Santino — ang girlfriend niyang si Julie, na palaging game sa mga family events.Pero si Andres at si Ainara?Walang inimbita.Pagbaba nila sa speedboat, agad silang sinalubong ng staff ng resort. May welcome drinks, cold towels, at isang maikling tour ng villa.“Three days of no emails, no meetings, no drama,” sabi ni Jaime, sabay tawa.“Just sun, sand, and seafood,” dagdag ni Celia.Tumango si Andres, pero tahimik lang si Ainara.Hindi siya sanay sa ganitong setup — family outing na parang corporate retrea

Yamot pa rin si Ainara habang naglalakad pabalik sa kanyang kwarto. Ang buhangin sa paa niya ay parang extension ng inis na nararamdaman niya — malagkit, mainit, hindi maalis-alis.Pagkapasok sa villa, agad siyang dumiretso sa banyo. Hindi na siya nagbukas ng ilaw sa hallway. She just wanted silence. Peace. A moment to herself.Binuksan niya ang shower, tinanggal ang suot, at tumapat sa malamig na tubig. She let it run down her back, hoping it would wash away the tension, the awkwardness, the sting of Isabella’s words.“I didn’t think Andres’ new stepsister would be such a bitch.”She closed her eyes tighter.After a few minutes, she stepped out, wrapped herself in a towel, and walked toward the closet to get fresh clothes.That’s when she noticed it.A door.Sa gilid ng kwarto, hindi masyadong pansin dahil natatakpan ng curtain. Hindi niya ito napansin kanina. She walked toward it, curious.It wasn’t a closet.It was an adjoining door.She turned the knob.Locked.But it was clearly

The dining area was nearly cleared, the scent of breakfast lingering faintly in the air. Resort staff moved swiftly, collecting empty plates and wiping down the table. Outside, the family was already gathering by the dock, preparing for the boat ride.Then came Isabella.She walked in, freshly showered, wearing a crisp white linen set and oversized sunglasses. Her hair was perfectly brushed, lips glossed, and her expression expectant — like she was ready to be adored.But no one was there.The table was empty.The chairs were pushed in.The coffee pot was cold.She looked around, confused. “Hello?”One of the staff smiled politely. “Good morning, Ma’am. Would you like us to serve breakfast?”Isabella nodded slowly. “Yes, please.”She sat down, alone, the clinking of utensils the only sound in the room. Her eyes flicked toward the glass doors, where the others were laughing, loading bags, adjusting life vests.No one had greeted her.No one had waited.She stirred her coffee, lips pres

Miyerkules, 9:00 AM.Sa ikalawang palapag ng Del Carmen headquarters sa Batangas, tahimik pero mabigat ang hangin sa loob ng boardroom. The long narra table gleamed under the soft ceiling lights, surrounded by eleven high-backed leather chairs. Sa bawat upuan, may nakalagay na pangalan, agenda folder, bottled water, at tablet para sa digital presentation.Sa gilid ng silid, floor-to-ceiling glass windows framed the manicured garden outside — calm and green, pero hindi sapat para pakalmahin ang tensyon sa loob.Si Mr. Ponce Natividad ang acting CEO, nakaupo sa gitna, composed pero halatang may iniisip. Si Mr. Domingo – senior board member, tahimik pero matalim ang tingin. Tahimik na nakaupo si Ainara sa tabi ng ina. Naroon din si Jaime. The other board members, mga investors at advisors, lahat senior, lahat may opinyon.First item on the agenda: Business updates. Jaime presented the progress of the Eco-Industrial Park sa Laguna, ang bagong flagship project ng Del Carmen. Sustainable

Tahimik ang top floor. Wala si Andres sa opisina niya, pero hindi ibig sabihin ay wala siyang alam.Sa isang silid sa kabilang wing, nakaupo siya sa harap ng monitor — tahimik, nakamasid.Sa screen, makikita ang hallway, ang pinto ng opisina niya, at ang loob ng silid. Lahat malinaw. Lahat tahimik.Ang mga camera ay bagong kabit lang — hindi ito bahagi ng dating sistema. Wala ito noong si Ainara pa ang gumagamit ng opisina. Si Andres mismo ang nag-utos na ipalagay ito, tahimik, walang anunsyo.Para sa isang layunin.Para kay Pia.Sa monitor, nakita niyang dumating si Pia. May hawak itong folder — ang mga dokumento para sa Isla Verde Eco Haven bidding. Maayos ang kilos, diretso ang lakad.Binuksan nito ang pinto ng opisina ni Andres.Pumasok.Tiningnan ang paligid.Tahimik.Walang ibang tao.Inilapag ni Pia ang folder sa ibabaw ng desk. Maayos. Pantay. Walang halatang pagmamadali.Tumayo siya.Tumingin sa paligid — isang mabilis na sulyap.Pero walang ginawa.Walang binuksan.Walang ki