The night had fallen heavy, thick with unspoken words and lingering emotions from the accident. Though Liam had stabilized, the worst was behind him – it is Wendy who couldn't shake the dread she felt that night. She hadn't realized just how much she cared until she saw his limp form in the arms of the emergency response team, blood trailing down his forehead and his usually strong presence rendered so vulnerable. That moment had branded itself into her mind.
She and Jace had accompanied the EMTs to Makati Medical Center, never once leaving Liam's side until the doctors assured them he was out of danger. In the sterile silence of the hospital, Wendy remembered Jace squeezing her hand, silently offering comfort. He'd been her rock during those hours of uncertainty.
But when the world started spinning again and Liam was discharged a week later, nothing returned to how it had been.
Wendy's days returned to the same rhythm: work at Rivera Clothing & Co., occasional coffee with Jace, brief check-ins with Liam, who was now doing physical therapy and back to attending meetings—although virtually. But everything felt strained. Conversations were stilted. Glances lingered longer. Her heart, once so certain of her focus and responsibilities, now beat to an uncertain, dissonant rhythm.
Then came one unexpected evening.
Jace had invited her to a quiet rooftop café in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). The night skyline shimmered like jewels under the stars. They sat beneath dim fairy-like lights and Jace finally laid his cards on the table.
"I've tried to stay quiet," he said, looking at her with those steady, soulful eyes. "But I can't anymore. I can't pretend this is just friendship."
Wendy stared, her heart thudding like a drum. "Jace—"
"I know things are complicated with Liam," he cut in gently. "And I'm not asking you to choose. Not now. But I need you to know how I feel. I've never cared for someone the way I care for you."
Silence stretched between them. The night breeze played with Wendy's hair as she looked down at her cup, avoiding his gaze.
"I care for you too," she said at last. "But I don't know what I feel. I'm confused. Liam… the accident… it changed something in me. And then there's you. You've always been there, always made me feel safe."
"I'll wait," Jace said simply, his voice calm but firm. "I'll wait, Wendy. Just promise me you'll think about it."
She nodded, grateful and torn.
Meanwhile, Liam wasn't blind to the changes either. From his hospital bed, he'd seen the way Jace hovered, how Wendy's eyes flickered toward Jace a little too long, her lips curling slightly when he joked with her.
Jealousy wasn't a feeling Liam often entertained, but now it simmered just beneath his skin. Wendy had been his constant, his reliable support, even before the accident. Now, he couldn't shake the idea that he was losing her—before he even had the chance to admit how much she meant to him.
He invited her for a walk in the company's garden one late afternoon. The air was crisp, the flowers in bloom.
"I never thanked you," Liam said, glancing at her sideways, "for staying with me at the hospital."
"You don't have to thank me. I wanted to be there."
"I know," he replied, his voice softer. "But I think I should've told you something a long time ago."
Wendy looked up, her heartbeat quickening.
"I think I'm falling for you," he said.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"I don't know when it started. Maybe the day you showed up to work with coffee for everyone, even though you were dead tired. Or maybe when you challenged my decision during a presentation, fearless and smart. You've always been real, Wendy. And I admire you more than you know."
She said nothing, torn by a thousand emotions. Her eyes stung and she could barely speak. Instead, she gave a small, sad smile. "Liam, I appreciate and thank you for everything and I believe that I need to do my job very well. Ahhhm - ."
"You don't have to say anything now," he said, echoing Jace's words. "I just wanted to be honest."
As if the emotional whirlwind wasn't enough, one evening, Ricci cornered Wendy in the dressing room of a company shoot. The air was tense, thick with an unspoken rivalry that had been growing since day one.
"I know what's going on," Ricci said bluntly, arms crossed over her chest. Her flawless face was cold, guarded. "With you and Liam."
Wendy blinked. "Ricci, I don't—"
"Don't lie to me," Ricci snapped. "I've seen the way he looks at you. The way you run to his side like you're his personal nurse."
Wendy stayed silent, trying to keep her composure.
"I've loved Liam for years," Ricci confessed, voice quivering with restrained emotion. "I've waited patiently. I've done everything to be close to him—everything. And now, out of nowhere, you come in and he starts noticing you. It's not fair."
"I didn't ask for this," Wendy replied softly. "Believe me, I never wanted to be caught in the middle of anything."
"Well, I want him," Ricci declared. "And I'm going to fight for him. I just want you to know—I won't back down."
Wendy stared at her, stunned. It was the first time Ricci ever peeled back the layers of her picture-perfect façade, revealing the vulnerable woman beneath.
After that emotional confrontation, Wendy tried to focus on work, but her mind was constantly tangled. Jace's confession. Liam's confession. Ricci's declaration. Her heart wasn't just divided—it was breaking.
Months passed.
The emotional tension dulled, but it never quite vanished.
Ricci, on the other hand, had thrown herself into something new—theMiss Universe Philippines 2025.
A surprising announcement came: Ricci was representing Pasay in this year's pageant. The media buzzed with excitement. A supermodel and influencer stepping into the national stage? It was headline gold.
To add fuel to the fire, Rivera Clothing Brand was announced as one of the official sponsors. Naturally, Liam Rivera would attend the coronation night and personally present the Miss Rivera Clothing & Co. Corporate Award.
The entire company supported Ricci's journey, her transformation from fashion muse to beauty queen. She dominated pre-pageant events, winning Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown and Miss Photogenic.
And then came the grand final night.
Smart Araneta Coliseum was ablazed with light and music. Marina Summers and Alex Yvonne Guadalupe, former beauty queens, graced the stage as hosts, their presence commanding and regal. Eighty-four candidates from across the country stood with poise and confidence, but all eyes were on Ricci.
Top 10 was announced. Ricci from Pasay made the cut.
Top 6. Ricci again.
And then—the final interview round.
Ricci dazzled not only with her beauty, but her eloquence. Her answer to a question about women empowerment, self-worth, and resilience struck a chord with the audience. She spoke of strength forged through personal struggles, of finding identity beyond appearance, and of choosing grace over envy.
"As women, we have a pivotal role in empowering the vulnerable sectors of our society. We can fulfil this role by being catalysts for change, advocating for the rights and needs of the marginalized and providing support and guidance to those who need it most. Through education, mentorship and community engagement, we can help empower women, children and other vulnerable groups to become active participants in nation-building," Ricci reiterated wearing her broadest smile that illuminates the crowd in the historic Smart Araneta.
"As a woman of today's generation being a graduate of AB Communication and as freelance model with clear advocacies, I can leverage my unique perspectives and strengths to foster a culture of empathy, understanding and respect. In that way we can build a more prosperous, peaceful and progressive society for the next generations to come," she further added that rocked the spectators.
When the crown was placed on her head, the crowd erupted.
Ricci Dawnielle M. Yulo, she is Miss Universe Philippines 2025.
Among the roaring applause, Liam found himself standing a little straighter. There she was—Ricci, not just a model or a face of the brand, but now a national icon.
Backstage, Liam approached her, carrying the Rivera Corporate & Co. Award plaque. They embraced, a mixture of professionalism and nostalgia bridging the space between them.
"You were incredible out there," Liam said sincerely.
Ricci smiled, her eyes glistening. "Thank you. I couldn't have done it without the Rivera Clothing & Co. believing in me."
"You've always represented the brand well."
Ricci laughed lightly. "Now, I represent the country too."
There was a moment of pause. The lights backstage shimmered. Ricci turned to face him more directly, her voice dropping to a softer tone.
"I meant what I said before, Liam," she said quietly. "About how I feel. Maybe now isn't the time to talk about it. But I want you to know, my feelings haven't changed. In fact… they've only grown."
Liam didn't respond right away. He just looked at her, a flicker of admiration and curiosity in his eyes. In that moment, the business-like lines between them began to blur.
He wasn't sure if it was the glittering crown, the graceful elegance, or the quiet, unwavering way she looked at him—but Ricci no longer seemed like just a brand ambassador.
She was something more.