Fredrick Manuel Santiago was a newcomer to the village, his family having recently moved there for his father's business. One afternoon, while walking through the area, he saw a young woman admiring a blooming garden. Her innocence shone through her graceful expression, and the beauty of her surroundings only seemed to reflect the purity in her face.
It was immediately clear to Manuel that the woman came from a wealthy family. Still, she didn't carry the arrogance he had seen in others from similar backgrounds. He had only ended up in the province to accompany his father's business trip—but now, he found himself captivated.
The woman continued to admire the flowers, unaware of his gaze. When she finally noticed him, their eyes met—and she smiled. Not a hesitant or nervous smile, but a warm, genuine one. Manuel was stunned. He felt his voice catch in his throat, unsure of what to say. He simply nodded and quickly turned away, partly embarrassed, partly afraid of getting lost as daylight faded into dusk.
Yet, despite not knowing her name, he couldn't stop thinking about her.
Women in the city are so different from those here in the province, he thought. There's something... real about her.
From that moment on, he silently promised himself: If we meet again, I'll ask her name.
Fate didn't disappoint. Days later, their paths crossed again. The young woman was carrying a woven basket—perhaps she had just returned from the market—and didn't notice him at first. Manuel gathered his courage and walked toward her.
"Good afternoon," he greeted.
She turned around, surprised, her eyes wide—but she quickly smiled in recognition.
"Good afternoon to you, too," she replied gently.
Manuel's heart skipped at the sound of her soft, melodic voice.
"Do you need something from me?" she asked, curious but calm.
"I—uh—I just wanted to introduce myself," he stammered awkwardly.
The woman laughed softly, her smile reassuring. "Are you a stranger here?"
He nodded.
"Harlene Leah Martinez," she said, extending her hand.
Manuel hesitated for a moment, then reached out. "Frederick Manuel Santiago. Nice to meet you, Leah."
"Nice to meet you too, Fredrick," she replied with warmth.
"If you don't know many people yet," she offered kindly, "you can come visit me at the mansion. I live just nearby."
The simplicity of her words and the softness of her skin stayed with Manuel. He walked home smiling, his thoughts filled with her voice and presence.
Just as she said, Leah later acted as his tour guide around town. She showed him around with excitement, and he quickly saw her not just as a beautiful woman but as a kind and loyal friend.
"Fredrick," his father called one evening.
"Dad?" Manuel replied, noticing his father rummaging through a suitcase.
"Put on something formal tonight. We're visiting my business partner—be presentable."
Manuel sighed. He knew better than to disobey his father, who provided him with a life of privilege. Later that night, they arrived at a grand mansion.
Manuel froze—it looked familiar. As they stepped inside, Leah stood in the hallway, smiling at him.
"I didn't expect this," he said as he approached her. "Do you know we're business partners?"
Leah laughed softly and nodded. "I do."
It turned out the Martinez family was not only wealthy but also deeply involved in business. They were, in fact, expanding their partnership with Manuel's father.
"Do you know my daughter well?" Leah's father asked, chuckling.
Manuel blushed and simply nodded.
That night, Leah's family warmly welcomed them. And when they got home, his father nudged him secretly.
"Good job," he whispered. "You've caught the Martinez family's interest. Why don't you court Leah? It'll be good—for both of us."
But Manuel didn't need convincing. He had already fallen for her. He courted Leah, and soon enough, they became a couple.
Leah never failed him. She was thoughtful, sweet, and endlessly supportive.
But Manuel wanted something more—something different.
Often, he would return to the city for business. There, the temptations were stronger. In the bars, women flirted, danced freely, and gave him a taste of the wild freedom he craved.
This is what I've been missing, he thought, watching one woman move seductively on the dance floor.
He pulled her into a dance, and they drank together, feeding his hunger for liberation. For a while, he forgot Leah completely.
"Are you enjoying my company?" the woman whispered in his ear.
He only smiled in return, indulging in the moment—unaware that the woman he danced with was Leah's friend.
He didn't stop. He betrayed Leah over and over again.
"Manuel."
A soft voice called his name, pulling him back to the present. He looked up from his seat and saw Leah.
"Were you remembering the past?" she asked, smiling faintly.
The woman before him was different now. Gone was the softness—only the cold strength remained.
"Don't forget that I once loved you, Leah. Please… come back."
The woman raised an eyebrow, then smirked.
"Do you miss her?" she asked.
In an instant, her form shifted—no longer the gentle Leah, but something colder, more powerful.
"She's gone, Manuel. It's just me now," she whispered.
"Regret always comes too late," she added.
Manuel turned away, ashamed.
Maybe you're remembering what you did to me… Leah, she said, her voice echoing.
He said nothing.
Yes, he had hurt her—again and again. And when she still wouldn't leave him and still loved him, he had broken her completely.
He had even destroyed their unborn child.
I didn't kill our baby, he told himself. It was an accident... she lost the baby. I had nothing to do with it... But denial clouded his thoughts.
He had tormented Leah, betrayed her, and left her to suffer in silence. He had killed her in every way except physically.
Now, he could feel his breath shortening.
His chest tightened.
He stared at Leah, still smiling coldly at him.
"Help…" he whispered.
But no help came.
His body collapsed, strength leaving him. He gasped one last time.
And the final name in his mind was hers.
Leah.