To transform her family's life from rags to riches, Cari is determined to focus on her studies and set the idea of love aside. But upon meeting the mysterious Ross, she knew things will never be the same again. Will Cari be able to tame the fiery beast in him--or let herself burn from the heat? ___ Possessing both beauty and brains, Carmilla Rina Dela Pente is dearly called 'Aphrodite' by her best friends. Despite being a head-turner, Cari has no intention to entertain suitors because she has strict goals set up- to fulfill her family's dreams. One soccer game unexpectedly changes her life, ultimately drawing her to the cold and handsome Ross. For the first time in their lives, both Cari and Ross experienced the bliss of falling in love. But with their feelings growing stronger, Cari soon discovers that their love comes with a price- one that may cost her not only her special love ones, but even more. Disclaimer: This story is written in Taglish. Start: May 12, 2020 End: July 18, 2020

Sydney James Wantirano is a woman of contrasts. With a fiery, untamable spirit and unyielding principles, she commands respect and admiration. Yet, behind this formidable exterior lies a tender heart that remains devoted to her parents, despite their harsh treatment and the absence of familial love. Her efforts to honor and make them proud are both a testament to her resilience and a source of hidden pain. Everything changes one fateful night when Sydney meets Xarius-a charming, effervescent man who shatters her rigid world. His presence awakens something in her that she never knew she was missing. For the first time, Sydney feels truly at home, valued, and loved-experiences she thought were forever beyond her reach. The irony of finding solace in someone so different from herself only deepens the impact of their connection. But such profound change comes at a cost. Sydney is faced with an impossible choice: between embracing the happiness Xarius offers and fulfilling her obligations to those who have always been her burden. Torn between two conflicting paths, she must decide whether to pay the price for her newfound joy or abandon it to maintain her old responsibilities. Will Sydney find a way to navigate these treacherous waters, or will she escape into the safety of the familiar, leaving behind the twisted wildlands of her heart? Started: July 18, 2020 End: December 17, 2020