Charlene slept well that night, so when she opened her eyes the next morning, her body felt lighter. Today, she would begin her plan to get closer to the children. It wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to try—no matter how hard it became.
"Good morning, Ma'am," the household staff greeted as she passed them in the hallway.
The words made her chest feel heavy.
She was the owner's wife—even if only on paper.
Still, she returned every smile. She didn't want to be seen as cold or arrogant. She wanted to get along with everyone, even if she was only meant to stay in this mansion for a short time.
When she reached the stairs, she saw Edgar, Kerill's ever-present bodyguard.
"Good morning, Edgar," she greeted warmly.
He gave a small nod. "Good morning, Ma'am Charlene."
"So early in the morning and you already look grumpy," she teased, hoping to make him smile.
But Edgar remained serious.
The awkward silence lingered until Kerill called him. Edgar excused himself and walked away, leaving Charlene sighing softly.
"You won't get a smile out of him, Ma'am."
Charlene turned and saw Saviel holding a cup of coffee.
"So I noticed," she laughed. "Has he always been like that?"
"Yes, Ma'am. He's Boss's right-hand man, so he's been infected by his seriousness," Saviel joked. "But he's kind. He's been here the longest—he even served Boss's grandfather and father before Kerill took over."
"Oh… how about you?" Charlene asked. "How long have you worked here?"
"Not years, Ma'am—ten years. My parents worked here before. The Wang family paid for my education in exchange for my service."
"Then you must know Kerill very well."
"Yes. So feel free to ask me anything."
Charlene glanced at Kerill, who was speaking to Edgar with his usual stern expression. "Is he always like that? Always angry, like he's carrying the weight of the world?"
Saviel sighed. "He wasn't like that before. He used to smile… but after the accident, he changed."
"Accident?" Charlene froze.
Saviel was about to explain when his brows suddenly furrowed. "Do you smell that?"
Charlene sniffed the air. "It smells like something's burning…"
They exchanged a look and rushed inside the mansion. In the laundry room, they found a washing machine in flames.
"Water!" Charlene shouted.
Saviel quickly returned with a bucket and poured it over the machine until the fire finally died.
"What is happening here?!" Manang Dores cried as she arrived.
Charlene stepped closer—and her knees almost gave out when she saw a burned blouse inside another machine.
It was hers.
"Charlene?" Manang Dores called.
Her eyes widened. Her clothes were burned. But how? They had been in her room.
"What happened?" Kerill's voice came from behind her, but she barely heard it.
She moved closer and suddenly broke down when she saw her wallet—charred, ruined, almost turned to ash. Inside it had been her remaining money… and the only photo she had of Enan, the childhood friend she was searching for in Manila.
She stood there shaking, tears falling silently.
"Charlene…" Saviel whispered.
"I just need to rest upstairs," she said quietly before walking away.
Inside her room, she collapsed onto the bed and cried.
Her phone rang.
"Shenna…"
"Hey? Why are you crying?" her friend asked in alarm.
Charlene told her everything—the contract, the children, the cruelty.
"Leave that place," Shenna said firmly.
"I can't," Charlene sobbed. "I need the money for the land."
"Charlene, is money more important than your life? Who knows what they might still do to you?"
"I'll endure it. I'll cry… but I won't leave."
Shenna sighed. "You're really stubborn. But don't let those kids walk all over you. You're older—you're stronger."
Charlene wiped her tears.
"I can do this."
And deep inside, she knew the real battle had only just begun.