Maxine Garcia is married to a man named Shawn Velasco and unexpectedly, she finds out that he cheated on her with a female college student.

Today is Shawn’s birthday so Maxine has already prepared a full table of food early. While she was busy, her husband’s phone that he left at their house suddenly rang.

Maxine picked it up and there, she saw a message from the woman who is currently studying in college.

Her body trembled as she read what was written there.

“I bumped myself earlier while getting the cake. My body hurts, babe…”

A selfie was included, but the photo did not show the woman’s face and only her legs. She was wearing high stockings, black leather shoes with a circle at the end, and a blue and white skirt of a school uniform while holding it up showing her thin and beautiful legs.

The woman’s white knees were still red from the impact. The combination of her young body and flirtatious words exuded an undeniable temptation.

According to rumors, successful CEOs are usually looking for this in a woman to hook up with.

Because of that, Maxine held on to the phone tightly while her fingertips turned white.

Just a moment later, another message arrived so she immediately checked it and read it.

“Mr. Velasco, let’s meet at the Sierra Solace Hotel. I wanted to celebrate your birthday tonight,” Maxine said from the message she had read.

It was Shawn’s birthday and his hooker had planned a celebration so, Maxine immediately took her bag and immediately went to the Sierra Solace Hotel mentioned in the message.

She wanted to see this woman in person and to find out who this female college student really was!

****

After Maxine arrived at Sierra Solace and was about to enter the room when she saw her parents, Wilbert and Nora. She was surprised but immediately approached them.

“Mom, Dad? W-What are you doing here?” she stammered to the two of them.

Wilbert and Nora immediately exchanged glances with each other. It was obvious that the two were avoiding each other’s eyes.

“Max, your sister has returned from abroad. We just brought her here,” her mother explained.

Maxine froze in place.

‘Monica?’ she said in her mind.

From the crack in the bedroom door, she saw Monica inside and stopped.

Monica was wearing the same blue and white skirt she saw in the picture.

‘The female student is my own sister Monica Garcia?’

Monica has always been beautiful in everyone’s eyes and was considered the most beautiful in her area. Aside from her pretty face, she also had the most beautiful legs in the entire city that was admired by countless men.

And now, her beloved sister used her beauty to seduce her husband.

Maxine smiled bitterly and looked at her parents.

“Am I the only one who doesn’t know, huh?” she said to them.

“You know that Mr. Velasco doesn’t want you, Maxine,” her father Wilbert said.

“That’s true, Max. Do you know how many women in all of Metro Manila have dreamed of being with Mr. Velasco? So instead of letting someone else have her, it’s better to just give her to your sister,” her mother said in a whisper.

Maxine clenched her fists at what she heard and glared at them.

“I’m your son too!”

After saying that, he immediately turned to leave when Nora suddenly called him from behind.

“Maxine, tell me. Did Shawn really touch you?”

Maxine stiffened in her stance upon hearing that.

“Don’t think we owe you anything, Maxine. Before, Mr. Velasco and Monica were the famous couple that everyone admired but after the accident, we only forced you to replace Monica and marry her,” Wilbert replied in his sharp voice.

Meanwhile, Nora stared at him with disgust and then spoke.

“And one more thing, look at yourself. You have done nothing but be a simple wife for three years and your life revolves around your husband. While Monica is slowly becoming successful. You two are so far apart from each other. How can you compare yourself to her? Be smart and return Shawn Velasco to Monica.”

The words she heard from her parents were like a knife piercing Maxine’s heart. The corner of her eye turned red then she walked away.

Maxine immediately returned to the villa. It was already dark at that time. She had given the maid a night’s rest that’s why it looked cold and empty inside their house.

She sat alone in the dark at the dining table while the food she had prepared earlier was already cold. The cake she had made herself was set aside and had a happy birthday written on it for her husband.

Maxine felt like a cruel joke—her and everything here.

Shawn and Monica were the so-called strongest couple in the eyes of everyone. Everyone knew that beauty queen Monica was Shawn Velasco’s lover. But three years ago, a sudden car accident caused her to enter a vegetative state, and Monica suddenly disappeared.

At that time, the Garcia family dragged Maxine from the province and forced her to exchange her for her brother and marry the man.

When Maxine learned that Shawn Velasco was the man she secretly loved, she immediately agreed.

For three years, while he lay unconscious, Maxine took care of him day and night. She gave up her free life, stayed indoors, and devoted herself to Shawn’s recovery. Maxine lived as his wife, dedicated only to him. And finally, she succeeded. Shawn finally woke up.

Maxine struck a match and lit the candles on the cake. The faint light illuminated her reflection in the mirror—a simple wife dressed in black and white, sad and unhappy.

Meanwhile, her sister, now a celebrity, was young, energetic, and most of all, the most beautiful. If you can call it that, she was a witch while her sister was a goddess.

After waking up from her coma, Shawn had returned to his goddess-like woman, leaving his witch wife behind. Those three years were just a poor figment of Maxine’s imagination.

Shawn Velasco didn’t love her, but he did love her. And as they say, in love, the first to fall always loses. And today, he had completely lost.

Meanwhile, Maxine’s eyes suddenly filled with tears when she didn’t expect it. She immediately blew out the candles, causing the entire house to return to darkness.

Just a moment later, bright headlights suddenly appeared outside and Shawn’s Porsche 911 quickly arrived and stopped in the garage.

Maxine’s heart suddenly beat fast because of what she witnessed. She didn’t think he would come back because she thought he wouldn’t come home tonight.

Shortly after, the door of the mansion suddenly opened. A tall, handsome man wearing a black suit suddenly entered the room, shrouded in a cold presence—none other than Shawn Velasco.

The Velasco family is well-known throughout Metro Manila. As an heir, Shawn Velasco has demonstrated his business acumen since he was a child. At the age of sixteen, he earned two master’s degrees from Harvard University. Upon returning to the Philippines, he took over Velasco Enterprise and became the richest man in the entire Philippines.

Meanwhile, Shawn immediately entered with quick steps.

“Why are the lights off?” he asked in a deep and cold tone.

He immediately found the switch and turned it on. The dazzling light suddenly blinded Maxine for a moment. When she opened her eyes, she immediately stared at Shawn.

He was wearing a black suit, tall and very handsome. His perfect presence and natural charm were the dreams of countless women.

“Today is your birthday,” Maxine replied to her.

“Don’t waste your time on things like this,” Shawn said with no emotion on his face.

A slight smile played on Maxine’s lips and she asked, “Don’t you like this, or don’t you just want to celebrate with me?”

Shawn looked at her, but his gaze was indifferent. It was clear that he didn’t want to waste words on her.

“Think about what you want to think.”

He immediately turned around and went up to the second floor of the house. Maxine sighed because she knew it was always like this.

No matter what she did, she couldn’t soften his heart.

Maxine stood up from her seat and looked at his back then said, “It’s your birthday today and I wanted to give you a gift.”

However, Shawn didn’t stop walking or even look back at her and said coldly, “I’m not interested.”

Maxine smiled as her lips slowly trembled. She looked up at the man and spoke.

“Shawn Velasco, let’s break up.”

Shawn stopped climbing the stairs and suddenly stopped. He turned around and his sharp eyes were fixed on her.

Chapter 2

“Let’s break up, Shawn Velasco. Do you want this as a birthday present?”

Maxine stared straight at Shawn as she boldly blurted out those words.

Shawn’s beautiful eyebrows and eyes didn’t even blink at what she said.

“Just because I didn’t celebrate my birthday with you, you’re going to start making a fuss about divorce right away?” Shawn said.

“Monica’s back in the country, right?” Maxine replied.

Hearing Monica’s name, a cold smile played on Shawn’s delicate lips.

He took big steps, slowly approaching Maxine’s direction and then bluntly said, “Are you jealous of Monica?”

As the youngest business tycoon of his generation, Shawn had a powerful presence that came from his status, wealth, and influence.

When he approached, Maxine deliberately backed away. Her back hit the cold wall as she kept backing away. And before she could move, her vision seemed to go black. Shawn had already approached her as he placed his hand on the wall next to her, then trapped her between his hard chest and the cold wall.

Shawn lowered his eyes then stared at her with a teasing smile on his lips.

“The whole place knows that the one I should marry is Monica. Didn’t you know that when you deliberately replaced her and became Mrs. Velasco? You didn’t complain before, so why are you talking so much now?”

Maxine paled at what she heard. She knew that Monica was indeed the woman he was destined to marry. If only she hadn’t had an accident and fallen into a coma, Maxine would never have replaced him.

She would never forget the day she woke up—the undeniable disappointment and indifferent look the man gave her the first time their eyes met. Since then, they always slept in different rooms. Shawn never paid attention to her.

He loved Monica and Maxine knew it but…

Maxine stared deeply at Shawn’s handsome face, and it gradually faded and was replaced by the image of the young man she used to know.

‘Do you really not remember me, Shawn Velasco?’ she said in her mind.

It seemed like she had only stayed in the past for the man.

‘Forget it, Maxine!’

These three years would be Maxine’s last sacrifice for her feelings for the man.

She suppressed the bitterness and pain in her chest as she said, “Let’s end this sexless marriage.”

Shawn’s eyebrows suddenly rose at what she said.

“Sexless marriage?” she asked in a cold tone.

He raised his hand and grabbed the woman’s smooth chin, squeezing her red lips with his thumb, while caressing them violently.

“So you want to break up? Does that mean you’re needy now?” Shawn added.

Maxine’s face suddenly turned as red as a ripe tomato in embarrassment.

‘That’s not what I meant!’ she shouted in her mind.

Now, his finger was maliciously licking and rubbing her lips. Maxine had never thought that a respectable and handsome man would have such a seductive and mischievous attitude. He was using her lips as a toy!

For the first time, Shawn observed Maxine closely. He noticed that she always wore black and white clothes, had large black glasses, and seemed to wrap herself up like an old man.

But now, he realized that her face was only small, and behind the glass, her beauty was surprising while her pair of eyes were extremely attractive. Because of that, Shawn realized that the woman was beautiful.

Her lips were soft. And where he pressed, the red disappeared but returned immediately, so it seemed addictive to play with it.

“I didn’t think Mrs. Velasco was this passionate. So eager for a man, huh?” Shawn said with a dark look.

Please!

Maxine unleashed a strong slap on his handsome face. Shawn’s face turned in the other direction, while Maxine’s fingers trembled with anger.

And she was right. When you humble yourself too much in love, you will only end up trampling on your character.

The man still had the courage to insult her like this.

“I know Monica is all you have in mind. Okay, I’ll give it to you. I’ll give her back the title of being Mrs. Velasco!” Maxine hissed while still blushing with anger and shame.

Because of that, Shawn’s expression became even colder, as if he was freezing.

Never in his life had anyone dared to slap him. Not one.

“You wanted to marry me, and now you want to break up with me whenever you want? What do you think of me, Maxine?” the man said angrily.

“A toy…”

Maxine laughed bitterly.

“What?” Shawn asked in surprise.

Maxine swallowed the pain she felt and forced herself to speak, “You’re just a toy I stole from Monica. Now, I’m fed up with you so I’m going to throw you away.”

Shawn’s face darkened even more at what she said.

“Great. Maxine Garcia, you’re truly great. Break up? Okay, but don’t make the mistake of kneeling down and begging me one day.”

After saying that, Shawn turned around and went up to the second floor of the house then slammed the door he had entered.

It was as if Maxine had lost her strength and her thin body slowly slid away from the cold cement wall. She sat on the carpet while hugging her body and trying to calm herself down.

‘I will never love you again, Shawn Velasco.’

****

The next day, Manang Claire opened the study door and she entered. Meanwhile, Shawn was sitting in his chair, busy reading some documents and he is known to be a workaholic.

“Sir,” said Manang Claire in a cautious tone.

However, Shawn did not even look at her and it was obvious from his heavy aura that he was not in a good mood.

Manang Claire carefully placed the coffee cup next to his hand then said, “Sir, this is the coffee that ma’am made.”

Shawn’s hand stopped turning the page of what he was reading and his dark expression softened slightly from earlier.

‘Is she recovering?’ Shawn asked in his mind.

To put it bluntly, Maxine was a good wife—she cooked, washed, and took care of everything he needed.

So, he reached for the cup and drank. It was exactly the blend he liked but… he was still angry with the woman.

She slapped him last night. A simple cup of coffee couldn’t erase that.

“Has Maxine admitted her mistake yet?” he asked the maid.

“Sir…” said Manang Claire, still clearly hesitating. “Ma’am, leave now.”

Shawn was stunned by what he heard and quickly looked up. Manang Claire immediately handed him a piece of paper.

“He left with his suitcase. He’s giving it to you,” the maid explained.

Shawn immediately took the paper and opened it. The words about their separation agreement came to his mind, which is why he fell silent.

Shawn thought he was making up for what he did last night, but it wasn’t. He had a different plan.

“Sir, ma’am said to drink the coffee and sign the agreement right away,” Manang Claire added to him.

Shawn’s face darkened and he looked at the cup then spoke coldly.

“Throw that away! It’s all there!”

Manang Claire’s eyes widened at what he said.

‘Just now you almost smiled while drinking that, ah…’ Manang Claire said in her mind but she didn’t ask anymore and immediately left with the coffee.

Shawn’s handsome face darkened even more, as if a storm was threatening. He stared at the document Maxine had left behind.

It didn’t ask for anything—not even money, nothing. He suddenly grinned.

He was impressed by Maxine because she didn’t want any of his wealth.

‘How can a country girl like her live without money? Didn’t she plan to marry me to get rich?’ he asked himself.

His eyebrows furrowed as he read the reason written on the paper.

“Because the wife has a physical disability, sexual dysfunction, and is unable to fulfill her marital duties…”

Shawn was stunned by what he read and his entire face almost went dark.

‘That damn girl!’

He immediately pulled out the phone and called Maxine’s number. The call was quickly connected on the other line.

“Hello.”

Maxine’s cold, but clear voice rang in Shawn’s ears.

Chapter 3

“Maxine Velasco, come back here right now!”

Shawn’s voice was angry as he uttered these words on the other line. Meanwhile, Maxine just laughed at him.

“Did you think that just because you said I was coming back that I would immediately follow you? I already broke up with you so who are you to order me around?”

Shawn’s teeth were chattering as he said, “As for the reason you broke up with me, I’ll give you a chance to change it!”

Maxine’s laughter grew louder as she heard it.

“Is there something wrong with what I wrote? You’ve been awake for six months, right? But in those six months, you haven’t even held my hand once. You’ve been in a coma for three years. Now that your body is fine, I have reason to doubt whether your manhood is still functioning. Maybe you’re useless so it’s better for you to see a good doctor. My only wish for our separation is that you get well soon and regain your pride as a man,” said Maxine.

Shawn’s frown deepened and the veins on his forehead were almost visible because of his anger.

In his mind, the woman was no longer in control.

“In the next few days, I’ll show you what I can do, Maxine. You’ll see!” he hissed at her.

“I’m sorry but you won’t get that chance again, Shawn.”

“Maxine!”

Shawn just screamed her name and then the phone suddenly rang, signaling that the call was over.

“Maxine Garcia!”

He almost exploded in anger when he realized that the other line was busy calling the woman again.

****

Meanwhile, Maxine arrived at her best friend Althea’s apartment. After hanging up, she burst out laughing and gave him a thumbs-up.

“Max, that’s serious! Shawn Velasco might have swallowed his own blood in frustration right now!” Althea told him while laughing.

Maxine remembered how she had been too humble in the past because of love, which was why she was always looked down upon.

Love should start with self-love, especially for a woman. You have to love yourself first and that’s what Maxine realized.

Althea said, “Three years ago, when Monica heard that Shawn had an accident and was almost paralyzed, he suddenly disappeared. Who would have thought that woman would wake up and look for him again? It’s a good thing he’s gone.”

Maxine opened a White Rabbit candy and popped it into her mouth. The sweetness of that candy eased the bitterness in her heart a little.

“This is the difference between being loved and not being loved, Althea,” she said in a low tone.

When a year is loved, it can be careless but when it is not loved, it is in trouble, and this is what Maxine was thinking.

Althea noticed that Maxine had already eaten a lot of candy so she pulled her upright.

“You can do it, Max! If you leave one tree, there is a whole forest waiting for you. Tonight, I will book eight beautiful men for your single’s night party!”

Maxine just held her forehead and laughed at her friend’s words.

Suddenly, Althea snatched Maxine’s black glasses and threw them in the trash.

“My glasses, Althea!” she shouted and tried to take it from him.

Althea immediately stopped her and said, “Max, you’ve focused so much on academics that you’re so fixated on that mirror. Follow Monica. Fix yourself. Beautify yourself if you need to.”

Maxine suddenly remembered how her parents had compared her to her sister. Not only her parents but also Shawn’s eyes who thought she wasn’t attractive.

On the other hand, Althea pulled her out the door.

“Let’s go! Let’s go shopping. I’ll get you fixed from hair, nails, clothes, make-up—everything. It’s a big makeover! I want Shawn and everyone else to see how beautiful you really are!” Althea said and continued, “By the way, are you sure you won’t take a single penny from Shawn after you break up?”

“No. I have my own money,” she replied.

“What!? You’re even going to leave her money to Monica? Well, Monica should thank you for that!”

Maxine didn’t move from what Althea said and spoke again.

“Where’s the card Shawn gave you?”

It’s a good thing Shawn was a gallant person. He gave her a black gold VIP card, but she never used it. Maxine took the card from her bag and winked at her friend mischievously then said, “Today, I’m going to spend a lot and Mr. Velasco will pay for all my bills!”

****

That night, Evergreen Club…

Evergreen Club is one of the most famous and posh places in Metro Manila. All the rich kids and young business tycoons spend their money there. The music played by the club’s DJ was so loud that it almost drove the people inside crazy.

At the already dark VIP table, Shawn sat in the middle of the couch. He was wearing a black polo shirt and slacks. His sleeves were rolled up so that we could see his muscular arms and expensive watch. His cold and aristocratic presence was what made him a magnet for the women there and made them glance at him.

Next to him was his friend Jared Montelban—heir to the Montelban family, along with other wealthy young men.

“Bro, what did you say? Maxine is breaking up with you?” Jared said to him with a laugh.

Because of that, the group laughed.

“Who doesn’t know that Maxine is crazy about Shawn Velasco? Even when he was in a coma, she was reluctant to marry him and now she wants to break up?”

“Let’s bet. How many days will it be before Maxine comes back and begs to get back together with Shawn?” said a man.

“I bet the day won’t be over, he’ll be texting our friend!” Jared replied, laughing.

Meanwhile, Shawn’s face remained dark and cold. The annoyance on his face was obvious.

He immediately opened his cellphone and checked his chat with Maxine.

The last message was from last night where he was sent a picture of a stimulant.

Maxine:

Hubby, even though your bones are okay, you still need to drink this. Go home early, huh?

As he scrolled, all he saw were messages from Maxine. She didn’t answer any of them. And now, it was very quiet. There were no new messages from the woman.

Shawn felt an annoyance he couldn’t explain. After a moment, his cellphone rang. A text message suddenly came in.

“I told you so! Maxine texted Shawn!” Jared shouted.

After a few seconds, the messages arrived one after another and the whole group laughed again.

“I couldn’t stand it! She misses our friend so much!”

“Bro, open it! Let’s take a look because she’s definitely begging to come back!”

Shawn’s eyebrows furrowed.

‘Did he really text? If he was sorry, why was he bragging earlier?’ he thought to himself and immediately opened the messages, but he was stunned.

“Dear VVIP user, your card ending 0475 was used at Glamour Nail Salon for a purchase of five thousand pesos…”

Jared read the text message he saw on Shawn’s cellphone out loud, which made everyone look at each other, clearly surprised.

Shawn quickly scrolled and saw other receipts worth three thousand pesos from a Hair Salon, almost eighty thousand pesos from Chanel, and two hundred thousand from LV.

No opportunity was missed and only notifications from the person who paid were showing up while the group was memorizing.

It was as if Maxine had slapped them from afar, so the silence between them was refreshing.

Shawn’s face turned red with annoyance and he dropped his cellphone. He didn’t care about the cost—what made him angry was that they had just broken up, but she had already gone out and shopped.

‘That girl is really amazing. Really amazing…’ he thought to himself.

The girl who had been his slave for three years suddenly had fangs.

“Bro, what’s Maxine up to? She got her nails done? Got her hair done, bought some clothes—is she imitating Monica now?” Jared asked.

“Monica is the most beautiful and a beauty queen here while Maxine is just a housewife. No matter what she does, she’ll still look like her.”

“Nothing will change about her!”

They laughed again while insulting Maxine. In a moment, the club suddenly erupted in laughter.

“Look! There’s a goddess!”

Everyone turned their heads towards the entrance because of those words.

Chapter 4

Maxine suddenly arrived.

After a long shopping spree at the mall, Althea immediately took Maxine to the Evergreen Club because she was determined to give her a brutal single’s party tonight.

Maxine didn’t expect to meet Shawn and the others there. Naturally, she heard their jokes and insults towards her.

She knew the people at the luxurious VIP table there, including Jared Montelban who was in the same group as Shawn. Jared was Shawn’s best friend.

During the time when Shawn and Monica’s relationship was hot and open, everyone liked her—even Jared, who now considered Maxine’s brother to be his best friend.

In more than three years, Maxine had never been able to join their group. They never accepted her.

They called her a desperate substitute bride and a clueless provincial.

In Maxine thought, if a man doesn’t love you, his friends won’t respect you either.

Meanwhile, Althea’s ears pricked up and she immediately lifted the sleeves of her dress.

“I’ll cut their mouths!” she growled angrily.

Maxine immediately grabbed her.

“Let it go, Althea. I’m already divorced and there’s no need to be sad about what those people said.”

Althea noticed Maxine’s cold and indifferent expression, so she was forced to hold back her anger. At that time, more and more eyes were looking at Maxine, and they were calling her a goddess.

“Goddess? Where?”

Jared followed everyone’s gaze and was immediately stunned.

“Awesome, she’s such a goddess!”

All the rich kids around her were speechless.

“When did there ever be a goddess-like face in this Club? I just saw her today.”

“Bro, look at that beautiful woman!” Jared said to Shawn.

Shawn was used to women—from the gentle to the curvy so he wasn’t interested in looking anymore. But Maxine and I were just across the table from each other.

He raised his head and saw the woman.

Maxine removed her dark glasses, abandoning her usual listless and lifeless appearance. Her smooth and white face, like snow, with the natural beauty of her bones. Her long black hair flowing like waves over her shoulders—a true goddess.

Shawn stared at her for two seconds.

“What do you think of that goddess, Bro?” Jared asked in a lively voice.

The others began to whisper.

“Mr. Velasco probably doesn’t like her. He wants someone like Monica—soft and gentle, not that cold goddess.”

“Look at those goddess legs. Just as beautiful as Monica!”

Maxine was wearing a short skirt, which was completely different from her usual conservative attire. For the first time, her legs were perfectly shaped, smooth and curvy. Legs that could set any man’s imagination ablaze.

Not as long as Monica’s.

Shawn stared at the goddess they called for a longer time and felt as if he had seen her before.

Suddenly, a group of male entertainers arrived, all with smooth skin, beautiful faces, and long legs. They lined up in front of Maxine.

“Max, let’s pick eight,” Althea said with a smile.

In celebration of her freedom from a bitter marriage, Maxine agreed.

“I like them all.”

Meanwhile, Jared started counting the men in front of Maxine.

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Wow, the goddess-like woman hired eight male entertainers!” Jared said.

Others commented.

“Why spend more? Just say the goddess, we’re free.”

Everyone laughed because of that and just a few moments later, Shawn’s phone suddenly rang. There was another notification from the expense.

He took out his cellphone and looked at it.

‘What did Maxine buy again?’ he asked himself.

‘Dear VVIP user, your card was used at Evergreen Club, purchasing an entertainment service for fifty thousand pesos.’

His expression darkened. He looked at the message again.

‘Evergreen Club? Entertainment services?’ he said to himself.

He looked back at the goddess-like woman not far away and he inhaled.

Maxine frowned. “Wait a minute, I don’t understand you. Why are you so angry, Shawn?”
The man’s teeth grazed. “Max, who told you to wear that? It’s sexy! I can almost see your soul!”
‘Sexy?’ Maxine whispered to herself, narrowing her eyes.
“What are you doing with your pants?”
Shawn quickly glanced at Maxine and her very short skirt.
“Look at yourself! You can almost see your thighs. Do you want to show everyone your legs, Max?”
The skirt was quite short, but Althea chose what she wore. That wasn’t the view of her best friend earlier when she hesitated.
“Max, you don’t show your legs even before. So, tonight, let’s show who really has the best legs in the whole place!”
Because of that, her friend convinced her to wear it.
Max raised his elegant eyebrows slightly. “It looks like you’ll be staring at my legs until later, Shawn.”
Maxine slowly leaned against the wall, looking lazy but still elegant. She also raised her right leg, the heel of her high-heeled sandals touching Shawn’s thigh.
The man’s pants were black and tight against his long, muscular legs—his stance was cool and controlled.
Max’s smooth, white toes moved slowly as he continued to move up and down the man’s thigh in a seductive manner.
It was both a temptation and a challenge.
Shawn stared at the woman coldly, “Max, what are you doing?”
Max just smiled, his red lips arching. “Mr. Velasco, I have a question… which do you like more—my legs, or Monica’s?”
Shawn couldn’t take his eyes off Maxine. Her white face was likened to a charming goddess, her eyes were round and bright and truly captivating—without a trace of worldliness.
Last night, Shawn had noticed the beauty behind the woman’s black eyewear but he didn’t expect it to be beautiful. Not just beautiful but truly captivating.
And her face seemed familiar to him, as if he had seen it before and he just couldn’t remember where.
Maxine’s clear and bright eyes were flashing in the cold. “Mr. Velasco, by the way, I have one more question. When did Monica’s legs hug your waist?”
Shawn was taken aback. He stopped breathing and then brought his handsome face closer to the woman.
“Maxine, are you crazy? Can’t you think of anything else but men? Look around, all the men here… even the male entertainers are looking at you. You’re not satisfied yet, you’re calling them just to please yourself. Are you happy with that?”
Shawn didn’t answer Maxine’s question about Monica. He literally avoided the question thrown at him. For Maxine, maybe this was his way of protecting the woman he loved.
Shawn and Monica’s relationship was full of passion, passion and also brought with it their youth and beauty. Maxine was sure that Monica’s legs hugged Shawn’s waist tightly because otherwise, why was he so obsessed?
Monica could be said to be very lucky to have a man like Shawn remain faithful.
He never called Maxine ‘wild’.
But Maxine still kept smiling even though her gaze was sharp. “Yes, Mr. Velasco. Your body is not good enough and you can’t give me the happiness I’m looking for. Of course, I need to find another man! Let’s get a divorce right away. I realized that if one isn’t good enough, there’s someone else out there who’s better!”
‘Did he really say that? That I’m not good enough and someone better than me? This woman is looking for trouble!’ Shawn growled.
In one swift move, the man grabbed Maxine’s smooth chin. “Do you really want to annoy me? Do you really want to prove that I’m good enough?”
Maxine’s eyes widened for a moment. “H-Ha?”
Shawn moved closer, his breath hot but his words cold and sarcastic. “Stop your fantasy. I won’t touch you if that’s what you want because the one I love is Monica.”
Shawn also told her face to face… that the one he loves is Monica.
Actually, Shawn didn’t need to brag about it. Maxine already knew that but she still couldn’t help but feel a pang of pain in her heart. Sharp but gentle, like a bee sting—not loud but repetitive and annoying.
Suddenly, they heard a soft voice. “Shawn.”
Maxine looked up. Monica had arrived.
Monica could be considered one of the most popular girls in Cavite—with lips as red as roses and white teeth. A beauty shaped by years of dancing since childhood.

Upon seeing Monica, Shawn immediately let go of Maxine and approached the new woman. He bent down and looked at Monica with a tenderness he had never shown Maxine before.
“You’re here.”
Monica nodded, then turned to Maxine. “Who is she, Shawn?”
He didn’t recognize Maxine right away. But Maxine would never forget Monica.
They had different mothers and fathers. Wilbert wasn’t Maxine’s real father, but her uncle.
Back then, Maxine had a happy life. Her father, Loui Garcia, and her mother, Nora, loved her very much.
Her father lifted her up every day.
“My Max was always happy,” she said.
Until one day, her father suddenly passed away.
Her uncle, Wilbert, moved into their house with his daughter Monica. And Monica’s mother also became her mother.
Her mother married her own brother-in-law.
From then on, Monica was the one her mother loved and not her.
When Monica got a 99 on the exam and she got a 100, her mother beat her.
“Can’t you let your sister win once? Why do you always have to beat her?”
When Monica was crying because of her baldness from chemotherapy, her mother shaved her own hair.
“You should be ugly too so she won’t be ashamed.”
Every night, her mother, Monica, and Wilbert were together in a room. She stood outside, hugging the doll her father had given her.
“Mommy, I’m scared…” Maxine said.
Until one day, Monica called her mother ‘Mama’ and she was overjoyed, but Monica added, “A mother only has one child.”
It was raining heavily when her mother took Maxine to the countryside, and left her there.
Maxine ran after him, soaking wet, carrying her doll.
“Mommy, don’t leave me. I’ll be good. I’ll give everything to ate. Mommy, hug me, I’m scared…”
She fell into the mud, still hugging the doll, as she watched the car drive away.
She would never forget Monica.
At that moment, Jared suddenly arrived and spoke.
“Monica, she’s your sister—Maxine Garcia!”
Monica was surprised by what she heard. “You’re Maxine?”
Maxine knew that she had never looked up to Monica.
When they were young, she had been the better one. But now, Monica was the successful one—the girlfriend of the heir to the Velasco family, admired, full of self-confidence.
Jared was once again amazed by Maxine’s beauty. He whispered softly, “I never thought Maxine would be this beautiful.”
Monica’s memories of their childhood were already hazy. She hadn’t even looked at Maxine before. Isn’t she ugly, from the countryside?
Monica approached, full of contempt. “Maxine, you really copied my style of dressing.”
Maxine didn’t answer. ‘What would make you happy,’ she thought to herself.
She stood up straight, her slender body dignified. She smiled quietly. The light hit her face and she looked like a pearl in the dark.
She was no longer the Maxine they knew.
“I heard you and Shawn are getting a divorce. You really can’t live without a man, can you? You’re even going so far as to rent male models? If I were you, you’d just find a job, Maxine,” Monica said with a sneer in her voice.
Then, she looked at Shawn and said, “Shawn, since Maxine took care of you, and even though she’s just a nanny, help her find a job.”
Shawn looked at Maxine’s face when Monica said that.
Jared added, “Monica, now you need a diploma to find a job. What did Maxine graduate from?”
Monica laughed and said with a smile, “She stopped studying at the age of sixteen.”

Chapter 6

In their social circle, Monica is known not only for her inherent beauty but also for her intelligence. She graduated from a prestigious university and no one else can match her qualifications among the elite of Metro Manila.
Shawn Velasco considers her the perfect match.
In their world, beauty alone is not enough. True strength is a combination of intelligence and beauty. As the social class rises, a woman’s education is valued more and more.

Jared’s affection for Maxine earlier had quickly vanished. It was replaced by mockery. “Maxine, is it true that you stopped studying when you were sixteen?”
Maxine looked at Monica, who was full of arrogance, and then smiled indifferently. “Yes, that’s true.”
Jared blinked. “Shawn also stopped studying when he was sixteen. But my friend is a genius—he has two master’s degrees from Harvard that he got when he was sixteen. As for you, you probably didn’t even finish high school.”
He laughed loudly and sarcastically.
Monica stood above, looking at Maxine as if she were just a speck of dust.
Shawn, who was tall and elegant, remained silent. The light from the hallway hit his cold and handsome face as he never took his eyes off Maxine.
Maxine had been Shawn’s obedient wife for three years. Her life had been revolving around her for three years, so she wasn’t surprised by her lack of education.
But despite the insults, Maxine didn’t show any shame or fear. Even though she was being so cruelly insulted, she kept her gaze on Shawn.
Maxine even smiled calmly and spoke again, “Yes, what a great opportunity, isn’t it?”
“Great,” Jared sneered.
For some unknown reason, something twitched in Shawn’s chest.
He only now noticed how beautiful Maxine’s eyes were—alive and sparkling.
“Max!” Althea shouted as she ran closer. She was angry as she looked at Monica. “Hey, what? Are you bullying Maxine again? Can’t you really do anything sensible anymore?”
Monica seemed so proud, she raised her chin. “Excuse me? We’re not bullying her. Quite the opposite, because in fact, we’re even helping her find a job.”
Althea stopped. “What?”
Monica continued, pretending to be kind but clearly looking down on her neighbor. “Yes. Even though she doesn’t have a diploma or formal education, we’ll still try to find her a decent job.”
Althea didn’t answer right away. It took her a moment to understand what he was saying.
Then she suddenly laughed, her tone sharp. “Do you know who Maxine is? Maxine is the only one who—”
But before she could finish what she was saying, Maxine quickly pulled her away. “Althea, come on. Let’s just leave.”
Althea held back. She didn’t really continue what she was saying but her gaze remained sharp on Monica. “The day will come when you’ll be the one to be embarrassed.”
“Althea, come on…” Maxine pulled her friend away again.
Althea and Maxine left together.
Jared just shook his head as the two finally left. “What is that Maxine thinking? She stopped studying at the age of sixteen but who do you think she is. If it were me, I wouldn’t leave the house in shame.”
Monica was calm. She had never considered Maxine a threat. To her, she didn’t deserve to be her rival. When she got angry with someone like Maxine—she felt like she was lowering her own standard.
Monica just smiled slightly. “Let it go, Jared. Fools are like that. They’re the ones who are brave.”
Jared turned to Shawn. “If I were you, I’d take care of getting you and Maxine divorced. She’s not worthy of you.”
Shawn’s expression didn’t change. Instead, he looked at Monica and said coldly, “Let’s go.”
Monica nodded in response. “Okay.”
They walked out of the building together with Jared.
As they left the bar, someone suddenly called out. “Mr. Velasco?!”
Shawn searched for the owner of the voice and when he found it, he was even more surprised by the familiar face. The caller was none other than the Dean of Harvard University, Mr. Arnold Contis. He was also a Filipino who was doing well abroad.
Shawn immediately approached. “Dean, what are you doing here?”
Monica stood up straight upon hearing that name. Even though she was an excellent student, she had not made it to Harvard—the most prestigious university in the world.
Dean Contis smiled warmly. “Mr. Velasco, nice to see you again. I’m here for a seminar. Your junior is here by the way.”Shawn raised his eyebrows. “Junior?”
Dean Contis nodded kindly. “Yes. At Harvard, there are only two recognized legends. And it’s funny because you’re both Filipino. You and your junior. You both got double degrees at the age of sixteen. A true genius with an extraordinary IQ. It’s just a shame you didn’t make it to campus because of your age gap.”
Jared was delighted and couldn’t help but join in the conversation. “Really?! Another genius? And as good as Shawn? Who’s better? Shawn, or the other one?”
Dean Contis smiled and then looked at Shawn. “They’re just equal. That’s the truth.”
Shawn was a little surprised by what he heard. He had never met anyone who could match his intelligence and talent, even once.
Even Monica was surprised. Like Shawn, he had never heard of a junior as good as the man. Even though no name had been given and even though he didn’t consider Maxine a threat, when he heard the

Chapter 7 – The Genius

Everyone was stunned when they heard what Dean Contis said.

“There are only two legends of Harvard—Shawn Velasco and his junior. Equal in talent, equal in skill,” the Dean said again, full of confidence.

All eyes turned to Shawn. Even Monica’s lips parted, as if in disbelief.

“Dean,” Shawn asked coldly, “who are you referring to as my ‘junior’?”

Dean Contis smiled, and instead of answering immediately, he took out his cellphone and showed a photo.

When Shawn and Monica saw it, their jaws almost dropped.

The one in the photo was Maxine—wearing a simple white blouse, smiling, holding a Harvard University medal.

“She’s your junior, Shawn. Maxine Garcia. She’s one of the smartest women I’ve ever met. Double degree from Harvard, same age as you when you got yours. The only difference is, she’s quiet and doesn’t flaunt her talent. She chose to stay in the Philippines.”

Jared leaned against their car and almost laughed at the unbelievable scene. “Wait a minute, Dean. Maxine? That Maxine we teased about as a provincial? Who dropped out of school at sixteen?”

Dean smiled tightly. “She didn’t drop out. She went to America for a special program. As most people know, she didn’t finish anything—that’s what she wanted to show off. But the truth is, she’s the strongest junior at Harvard after Shawn. If it weren’t for her personal decision to stay here, she might be more famous than Shawn now.”

The atmosphere grew cold. The entire group fell silent.

Monica, who had been so proud earlier, now couldn’t look at Maxine.

Shawn, on the other hand, was stunned. He looked into the distance, and suddenly the image of the simple and quiet Maxine in their house—the woman he had avoided, belittled, and treated as a shadow for three years—came back to his mind.

“Impossible…” Shawn whispered, but he felt a strange throb in his chest that he couldn’t explain.

Meanwhile, Maxine and Althea were standing not far away. They didn’t know they were being talked about. Maxine was peacefully walking out of the club, her face cold but dignified.

“Dean…” Shawn spoke again, his voice low, “are you sure? Is that really her you’re talking about?”

Dean Contis smiled, and there was a hint of admiration in his voice.

“I’m just not sure, Shawn. I personally guided her to Harvard. That woman—Maxine Garcia—was no ordinary woman. She was a legend, just like you.

Chapter 8 – The Woman I Don’t Know

Outside the Evergreen Club, the wind was cold and the passing cars were puffing smoke. Maxine stood on the side of the road, holding a small bag and looking up at the sky. The light from the lamppost hit her face, making her look even more like a statue sculpted by an artist.

She silently stared at the moon, while Althea was busy hailing a taxi.

“Max, the reactions inside were terrible. If you could only see their faces—it’s like they were the ones being humiliated, not us,” Althea said with a laugh.

Maxine just smiled weakly. “I’m used to people’s eyes. It used to hurt, but now, it’s gone.”

But before she could get into the taxi, a familiar voice boomed from behind.

“Maxine.”

Maxine’s body stiffened. She slowly turned around. And there was Shawn, standing in the darkness, but his cold presence was still evident. He stared intently, as if examining every detail of his face.

“Mr. Velasco,” Maxine replied in a calm voice. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be inside with Monica?”

Shawn didn’t answer right away. His gaze was deep, as if he wanted to ask something but couldn’t say it. Inside his mind, Dean Contis’ words kept coming back: “She’s your junior, Shawn. She’s a legend just like you.”

“Maxine…” Shawn’s voice dropped, almost to a whisper. “Who are you, really?”

Maxine laughed, bitter and full of sarcasm. “What do you mean? I’m the woman you married because Monica wasn’t around. I’m the woman you treated as your guardian for three years. I’m the woman you can’t even look in the eye. That’s all you need to know.”

Heat rose in Shawn’s chest. He couldn’t explain why, but every word the woman said was like a spear piercing him.

He took a step closer, one, two, until their faces were almost touching.

“I don’t understand you, Maxine. Why did you hide everything? What you studied, your ability. Did you deceive me from the beginning?”

Maxine remained standing, looking straight into Shawn’s cold eyes.

“Deceived?” she repeated bitterly. “Weren’t you the first to be deceived? I gave myself, my whole being, for three years, and what did you do? You considered me a shadow. You loved Monica while I paid for all the wounds and fatigue. And now that you know I’m not stupid, you only thought of asking who I am now?”

Shawn fell silent. He seemed stunned, and for the first time, Maxine saw a trace of confusion in his eyes.

Inside him, a voice repeated: “She’s not the woman I thought she was. She’s not weak. She’s not a toy.”

But before he could answer, the taxi arrived. Maxine got in without looking back, leaving him standing on the side of the road, clutching questions he didn’t know how to answer.

As the taxi drove away, Shawn stared at its tail lights. His cold heart, which had long been tied to Monica, suddenly felt an inexplicable fear—and a strange desire.

“Maxine Garcia… Who are you really in my life?

Chapter 9 – Maxine’s Secret

Ever since that night at the Evergreen Club, Shawn has been restless. Even as he sits in the Velasco Enterprise office, staring at the documents, his mind keeps returning to the question he can’t escape:

“Who are you really, Maxine Garcia?”

He’s restless. It’s as if he’s lost control of himself. And as someone who’s always used to being in control, he can’t let a woman like Maxine just walk away, carrying the questions and pain of his pride.

The Beginning of the Investigation

One night, he calls one of his security men, Mateo.

“Mateo, I want to know everything about Mrs. Maxine Garcia-Velasco. From childhood to now. Don’t miss anything,” he coldly orders.

“Copy, sir,” Mateo quickly replies.

And that’s when the intensive investigation begins.

Maxine’s Past

Just a few days later, Shawn received the report.

“Sir,” Mateo began as he handed over the folder, “Ma’am Maxine is no ordinary woman.”

Shawn slowly opened the folder. He came across photos he never expected to see.

— A photo of young Maxine with her father, Loui Garcia, a renowned university professor and renowned inventor.

— Certificates with the Harvard University stamp. Dean’s List. Double Degree. Both of which she had obtained at the same age.

— A scholarship grant signed by Dean Contis himself.

Shawn clenched his fist.

“So… it’s true. She’s a genius. And she hid it all from me.”

But that wasn’t the end of it. He stopped when he read a confidential report:

“Loui Garcia is Maxine’s father… and he was also the longtime business partner of Shawn Velasco’s late father. The two families were once related. But after Loui Garcia’s mysterious death in a car accident, all records about him disappeared. All that was left was young Maxine.”

Shawn’s eyes widened.

“Her father… Dad’s business partner?!”

The Shocking Truth

As he read further, his hair stood on end. There was a confidential page separated, hidden under the documents.

“According to Loui Garcia’s last will and testament, the true heir to several important shares in Velasco Enterprise is not Shawn… but Loui’s daughter—Maxine.”

Shawn almost dropped the paper he was holding.

“Maxine… heir to Velasco Enterprise?!”

It felt like an earthquake shook him. The woman he had avoided for three years, the woman he considered a disgrace, the woman he wanted to throw away—she turned out to be the one holding the key to the corporation he had fought for his entire life.

Shawn’s Reaction

Shawn stood up from his chair, still holding the folder. His heart was pounding—he didn’t know whether he was feeling anger, surprise, or fear.

“Maxine… what’s your plan? Did you trick me into joining my family? Or did you hide everything because you didn’t want anyone to know?”

He didn’t know the answer. But one thing was clear: the woman he had been ignoring for so long was not just a wife. She was a danger—or maybe she was the only enemy he couldn’t control.

And for the first time, Shawn Velasco, the strongest man in the Philippines, felt afraid of a woman.

“Maxine Garcia-Velasco… You’re not just my wife. You’re the one person who can destroy me.”