Her Sins, His Salvation

PROLOGUE

A Gulfstream G700 private jet touched down at Manila International Airport at nine in the evening. Outside the arrivals area, a group of men dressed in black waited for their VIP. Even thirty minutes after the jet landed, they held their ground, alert and watchful.

Before long, a middle-aged man stepped out of the terminal flanked by two striking women—one in her early twenties, the other in her thirties. A man in a black suit walked up to greet them.

"Welcome back, sir!" he said respectfully.

"It took me a while to return," Don Pablo said in a low, steady voice. "If it weren't for the new company I bought for my daughter, I wouldn't have come back at all."

"Sir, your businesses have been pulling in profits for the last six years," Damian replied cheerfully. "You've got nothing to worry about."

"Yzel, Emy, get in the car first. I need to talk to Damian alone," Don Pablo said with a faint smile.

"Okay, Dad," Yzel replied, nodding before she and Emy slipped into the waiting Rolls-Royce Phantom.

As soon as the women were seated inside, Don Pablo and Damian stepped away.

"Any news about the man I'm looking for?" Don Pablo asked, his eyes sharp.

"We've been searching for him these past six years, sir, but still no trace," Damian admitted uneasily.

"Keep looking. I have unfinished business with that man. When you find him, I want him alive—so I can kill him myself." Don Pablo's voice was ice cold.

"Yes, sir! The moment we get word, we'll deliver him straight to you for your revenge," Damian vowed.

"Good. And one more thing—tell your men not to stick too close when I'm out. I don't want the police sniffing around. Nobody knows I'm back. I'll only stay here a few days before heading back to the States." Don Pablo ended the conversation and walked toward the car.

Inside the Phantom, Yzel looked at her father curiously. "Dad, who were all those people greeting you?"

"Oh, just my business partners here in the Philippines," Don Pablo replied smoothly. "They're the same even in the States. Nothing to worry about."

Emy glanced at him nervously but stayed quiet. The driver pressed the accelerator, guiding the car toward their Forbes Park mansion. Yzel stared out the window, lost in thought.

Pulling out her tablet, she opened her photo gallery. There, she gazed at a picture from her teenage years—a snapshot with a long-haired young man in his early twenties. John.

Her heart tightened as she remembered that night. She and John had just gotten out of a taxi, standing by her gate under the glow of the streetlight. They looked into each other's eyes.

More than six years ago....

"Will you wait for me until I'm grown up?" Yzel had asked.

"Of course I'll wait! You're only fifteen, don't overthink it," John replied with a grin. "Anyway, we've got another concert before I graduate. I hope you, Kryztal, and Michelle will all come." He gently kissed her cheek.

"Promise me you'll wait!" Yzel whispered, hugging him before waving goodbye and slipping inside her house.

The memory brought tears to her eyes. She set the tablet down and quickly dialed a number on her phone.

"Yzel! Did you and Aunt Emy land already?" A woman's voice rang with excitement on the other end.

"Yes, Michelle! We're on our way to the mansion now. I'm so happy to see you—and I can't wait to see him again!" Yzel answered eagerly.

"Relax, Yzel. We'll have plenty of time for that." Michelle said, laughing.

"Okay, Michelle! We'll be there in an hour. I can't wait!" Yzel said before hanging up.

An hour later, the two women finally embraced at the mansion.

"Yzel, you look even better than before! I doubt he'll even recognize you," Michelle teased.

"I'm excited, but nervous too," Yzel confessed. "It's been seven years. So much has changed. I was relieved to hear he's alive, but crushed when I found out he's married."

"I know it hurts. His wife is my best friend, actually. The first time I saw him again, I was shocked he didn't recognize me. But honestly, we look so different now." Michelle chuckled.

"True. Back then we were just teenagers, but still gorgeous," Yzel smiled faintly.

"He's different too—more muscular now, with a crew cut. He looks tougher, manlier. You'll probably fall for him all over again." Michelle giggled.

"I just want to see him, that's all. I don't want to mess with his marriage. For now, help me get familiar with the company. I won't reveal who I am. I'm afraid he'll avoid me if he knows," Yzel said softly.

"That's smart. I also thought about telling him, but I was scared it would change how he acts around me. He has a good life now. We shouldn't risk disturbing that," Michelle agreed.

"If we happen to run into him, let's just pretend we don't know each other," Yzel suggested.

"Exactly. That's the safest way," Michelle nodded.

Moments later, Don Pablo entered.

"Hello, Uncle! It's so good to see you. But wow, you've gained weight—watch your diet!" Michelle said as she respectfully guided his hand onto her head.

"Michelle, you're becoming more beautiful every time I see you," Don Pablo said warmly. "I'll only be here for a few days. Since your life is normal now, I won't ask you to protect Yzel anymore. She's grown up, and her driver Facundo will be her bodyguard."

"Uncle, even if you don't require it, Yzel is like a sister to me. If she needs protection, I'll be there," Michelle said firmly.

"Good girl. I won't keep you two. I have to meet some business partners," Don Pablo said with a wink before leaving.

Michelle understood what "business partners" really meant. The thought made her uneasy.

Later that night, after talking with Yzel about John, Michelle drove home. She showered, ready to sleep, when her phone suddenly rang. It was Yzel's number.

"Hi, Yzel! What's up?" Michelle answered cheerfully.

But the voice on the line was icy. "Michelle, it's not Yzel. It's Kryzette."

Michelle froze. Her blood ran cold. The beautiful devil was back.

"Don't tell Yzel or Dad that I've returned," Kryzette warned. "Or you'll regret it. I know where your brother lives. I have men on him twenty-four hours a day. If you disobey me, he'll suffer."

"My God, Kryzette! When did you come back? Does anyone else know?" Michelle stammered.

"You're the only one who knows. And if you tell anyone, your brother will be kidnapped and tortured. Believe me—I'll make it happen."

"Kryzette, please! Don't drag my brother into this! I thought of you as a sister!" Michelle cried.

"Time changes people. I'll help Yzel get the man she wants, and you'll help me. Just follow my instructions," Kryzette demanded.

Shaken, Michelle finally said, "What do you want? Just promise me you won't hurt my brother. And please—don't make me kill again."

"You won't kill. But listen carefully..." Kryzette began outlining her plan.