Dad's eyes flashed with indignant anger, much like lightning on a pitch-black night after I told them the whole story of why I was hysterically crying when I got in here. They deserved to know, especially Dad. Dad saved me and my baby. Without him, I couldn't imagine what probably would've happened.

I did not pass out in his arms. I've never seen Dad worry that much for me; he's always like that with Romee, but never for me, until earlier. I didn't know I was pregnant, and I thank all the angels in heaven for keeping my baby safe inside me.

No words came out from his mouth but with just a look, I could see how mad he was. Medyo palagay lamang ako ngayon, because mom is with us. Even Mom remained quiet beside me as she listened to my story.

"I'm sorry. Had I known I'm pregnant, I wouldn't have done that. It's my fault, muntik ko ng ipahamak ang sarili ko at ang baby ko. I'm sorry I've worried you, Mom," I sighed. "Dad... I'm sorry."

"Hush, darling, none of these were your fault," Mom said in her most understanding tone as she caressed my arm. "You should rest well. Romee and Lance are on their way. They're worried about you."

"My daughter isn't really the one to blame here, but her ass of a husband."

"Red, will you shut it?" Mom rolled her eyes and turned to Dad. "It's just a normal misunderstanding of a married couple. When Paris is okay, they have to talk things out-"

"Don't give me that crap, Chiara. To shit with normal misunderstanding that's not normal. I'd been married to you for so long and could you name a time where I affiliated myself to any woman? I will never get you upset with me befriending girls, that's not how a married man should behave."

Muli akong binalingan ni mommy, she gave me an apologetic smile. She has a feeling that what Dad is saying upsets me. Well, it does. While Mom is trying to console my heart, here comes Dad, trying to open my eyes to a clearer view. Well, my father is right, this isn't normal. My dad is Red Franco Santa de Leones. Women of his age or even younger women go crazy over him, swoon and drool on his feet. But I never heard of him and Mom fighting about it. Mom was never jealous of anyone because Dad gave her so much assurance that no one could go beyond her. Some kind of love that rarely exists.

"I told Reid to pickup Ricos, I'm taking you away, Amanda."

Agad na nanlaki ang aking mga mata. I looked at him, and I knew how serious he was with his words. Then I turned to Mom. What does he mean by saying that he's taking me away?

"Before you told us the whole story, your dad already knew. Kanina habang nag-papahinga ka, Aidan was here. He wants to see you but your father shoved him away, I told him that he can see you once you're discharged, for now you have to rest-"

"He can never see my daughter again!"

"Red," tila nauubusan na ng pasensyang nilingon ito ni mommy. "Will you please calm down?"

"You can't ask me to calm down, I've almost lost a daughter in my arms for the second time in this goddamn life, Chiara. So you can't just ask me to calm down." Mariing sabi ni daddy, his eyes were directed on mom.

I saw Mom inhale sharply, accepting her defeat with a nod. "Fine, then don't calm down."

That's when the door opened; Uncle Dave was holding a chart. He immediately turned to my direction and smiled. I smiled back at him.

"Good that you're awake now. How're you feeling, sugar?" he asked, walking up to my side.

"A little bit fine,"

"You may need a lot of rest by now, Amanda. Keep off from stress," seryosong sabi niya bago balingan si mommy at daddy. "I have all the files you've asked me to check, Red."

"Good, now send that Bakker out of your hospital if you don't wanna have some helluva bloody manslaughter in here," Dad ordered like a king.

"Santa de Leones, your words" naiiritang sabi ni mommy na siyang tinawanan lamang ni Uncle Dave.

"Dad, w-wala namang kasalanan si Wendell kanina. I'm already hysterical when he saw me," alangan ko pang paliwanag. It's not that I'm concerned about Wendell; I don't like people getting involved in cases they aren't aware of.

"Yeah and you think I'll buy that?" Nilingon ako nito ng matalim na tingin, he got both of his hands leaning on the feet of my bed, he's looking at me intently. It was as if he was telling me that he was not clueless about everything that was going on. "You happened to be my daughter, Amanda. I know everything about you."

I swallowed hard before nodding my head. Siguro'y tama na rin ito, Wendell is getting out of hand. He likes me, I know that. That's okay, but what's not okay is that he'd been pushing through that idea. If I can't deal with it, then maybe I should let my father have this. But then, my conscience is eating me up. This is his dream. If they ever kicked him out, would he be able to continue?

As if reading my mind, Uncle Dave gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Paris. I've submitted a recommendation for Wendell to one of the finest hospitals in Netherlands."

Somehow, it eased me. I'm having a hard time deciding if I'm a good person or a bad one. I've asked Romee and Lance to put Karen Hanover in hell, and they did. She'd been kicked out from her practice at Logansport, and through connection where Lance and Romee used our family's influence, I'm not sure if Karen will ever get into any huge hospital. I should be rejoicing that somehow I've got my revenge after years of suffering, but half of me felt numb from it.

"Hey, cheer up, my lady" Uncle Dave squeezed my arm. "None of these were your fault, if this ain't happen, I'd still be sending Dr. Bakker out of this hospital in no time. Skeet doesn't like his performance,"

I frowned. Maybe he's just saying these things to make me feel better.

"I won't lie, Paris" tumatawang nilingon nito si mommy. "Paano, maiwan ko muna kayo rito. I have to pickup Sheila for dinner. Gusto niya sanang bisitahin si Paris, but I told her not today, baka bukas at umagang umaga palang nandito na iyon."

Ngumiti si mommy atsaka tumango. "Thank you for the help, Dave."

"You don't have to mention it," he kissed her cheek and turned to Dad. "Calm your ass, Santa de Leones. Don't leave him alone, Chi. You gotta stop a carnage."

Doon natawa si mommy. "Oh, Dave that's a handful job."

When Uncle Dave left, mom helped me out to eat. I told her that I can do it alone but she didn't listen. She said she wanted to take care of me and that I should just let her. Si daddy naman ay tahimik lamang kaming pinapanuod at binabantayan. Hindi na siya nag-salita pa ng kahit ano tungkol sa nangyari.

My heart aches every time I remember how he worried for me. When we were babies, mom said that Romee almost died in Dad's arms. He'd been more protective of her after that incident.

"We're here," Romee announced after opening the door.

Agad siyang dumiretso kay daddy upang humalik sa pisngi nito bago lumakad patungo samin ni mommy.

"Hey, how're you?" she asked sweetly, placing a hand on my forehead in a gentle caress.

I smiled. "I'm fine,"

"Good, so who are we sending in hell next? Maybe she could meet up with Karen Hanover down there," natatawang sabi nito bago manlaki ang mga mata nang kunot-noo siyang lingunin ni mommy. "Oh, he he he"

"Who's Karen Hanover?" Mom asked.

Romee shrugged and looked at me, nervously grinning. "Some villain in Paris' life,"

"Villain?" Mom frowned.

"Yep," Romee hugged her and rested her head on mom's shoulder. Using her charm again, of course. "You know mom, you're a queen, dad's a king we're the princesses. In our lives there's always a villain who keeps on ruining things. But you have nothing to worry about, no bloodbath included."

Napangiti na lamang ako bago mailing. Romee really has this magic on turning things so easy to handle. She has this undeniable charm, no wonder she's everyone's favorite. Mahusay na nailigaw ni Romee at Lance ang usapan.

When Reid came, he's with Ricos. Mabilis na tumakbo si Ricos kay daddy upang magpakarga, iniupo naman siya ni daddy sa paanan ng kama.

"Kiss your mom first," he whispered.

Namimilog ang mga mata na nilingon ako ni Ricos, there's an excitement in his eyes as he crawled above my bed to get near me.

"Hi, love"

"Mom!" humagikgik itong yumakap sakin, then his tiny little hand went into my stomach. "Daddy said there's a little Ricos in here,"

I frowned, napalingon ako kay Reid nang mag-salita ito.

"Aidan is outside, still outside." He shrugged.

I froze at the mention of his name. Dad didn't allow him to come and see me. Maging ako ay ayoko pa, Uncle Dave said that what I need is complete rest, and just by hearing Aidan's name, I got everything coming back into my head, which is not healthy.

Dad shook his head, and without a word, he left the room. Agad namang tumayo si mommy, I looked at her.

"Mom,"

"I know, baby. Ako na ang bahala sa daddy mo," Iyon lamang at lumabas na ito.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Romee, she smiled at me. "Mom can handle it, don't worry."

"Mom, so how did you have a little me inside you?" Ricos called back our attention, he's frowning cutely while staring at my stomach. "I barely get dad, I'm still little so how did it happen that there's a little me? Then it must be so so so little, like this perhaps?" He looked at me and raised his tiny thumb.

I chuckled. Ricos' innocence never failed to warm my heart. Everything about him is just so pure and so genuine. I'm in love with him just as I'm in love with his dad.

"Your dad cast a spell on your mom, then like a magic..." before I could speak, Romee answered. "Boom! Baby number two is on the way! Isn't that amazing?!"

"Romee!"

"What?" Natatawang nilingon ako nito bago kargahin si Ricos. "Ikaw naman kasi ang dami mong tanong eh, kapag laki mo malalaman mo rin paanong nagkaroon ng little Ricos sa loob ng tummy ni mommy. What's important now is that you'll be a good boy for your mom and for the little you in her! Promise Rowrow you'll be the best brother,"

Naguguluhan man ay nginitian nito si Romee at itinaas ang maliit na kamay. "Promise, my Rowrow!"

"Okay, now since you're going to practice becoming the best big bro, you go first with the expert. Okay?" Hinalikan nito si Ricos sa pisngi atsaka muling ibinigay kay Reid. "Mom and Aunt Rowrow needs to talk about something and you really have to start practicing like right now."

"You're the best big bro, Uncle Reid?" His eyes widened, staring at Reid. "Then I want to be you! Teach me your ways. Wait, does that mean you also have a little you when you were as little as me?"

Reid nodded. "Yeah, Aunt Rowrow and your mom happens to be the little me."

"What?!" He snapped, turning his eyes back on me. Then, to my stomach. "So it could be a girl, too?"

"Yes, now, let's go outside and I'll get you something to eat."

"But wait, I'm not yet hungry!"

"Nako! Paano magiging best big bro 'yan, kung hindi kakain?" Romee tsk, faking her disappointment.

"Owh!" Ricos immediately covered his mouth and nodded his head. "Sorry, my Rowrow. Let's go, Uncle Reid, I wanna eat!"

"Good boy, I love you!" Romee shouted when they headed out. "My God, forgive me Lord for lying. Reid won't pass the best big bro, I just don't have a choice."

"Romee!" Natatawang sabi ko.

She shrugged and laughed, too. "Whatever, Reid is fine if he'll just loosen up a bit."

"I couldn't agree more, Rance is so Reid." Lance rolled her eyes.

"So, Paris Amanda!" Pinamewangan ako ni Romee, she cocked me a brow. "What happened?"

Even Lance is looking at me as if waiting for my answer. I inhaled deeply and shrugged. "I was at his office, we had lunch, then his dad called him for something. I was left alone for minutes then I heard a phone ringing, it's in the drawer of his desk. I took it. Aidan has a spare phone, Romee! I don't know for what he get that for. Then the most fucking thing is that there's a thong inside that drawer. Then Viel Ferrer message came in, saying that she enjoyed the night. Aidan didn't come home last night!"

"Viel fucking Ferrer," Romee nodded her head before she inhaled deeply, nagkatinginan sila ni Lance. "Kurtney hates that fake-ass, right?"

Lance shrugged. "She said she doesn't like her,"

Nilingon akong muli ni Romee. "Dad is taking you and Ricos to Monteguerro, do you know that?"

I nodded and looked down at the sheets covering half of my body.

"You need a complete rest, I agree with the idea. There's no Aidan, no Viel, no Wendell there. Maybe that's what you need for now, a little break, Paris." Romee said. "If Aidan didn't do it, he'll come out clean. If he did then I'm afraid he'd be listed in obituary in no time."

An image of Aidan flooded my head when I threw him the phone.

"But either which, witch Viel will get what she deserves." There's a devious smile on Romee's lips. Reminds me so much of Mom.