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Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad

Chapter 218 New
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 218


By nightfall, Karlos's birthday party had officially come to an end. All the neighbors and guests had filtered out of the front yard with full stomachs, leaving behind only a few leftover dishes that Maya planned to store in the fridge for the coming days.

Only Joseph and his family remained in the house. Venus and Gavin were still wide awake, happily playing hide-and-seek and giggling with their little cousins, including Jenny and Marlon, who were Andres's children.

"Penelope, Brother, thank you so much for everything," Maya said sincerely. Even though they had used disposable plates and utensils, large family gatherings always needed plenty of cookware and serving trays that needed scrubbing. Joseph had taken charge of the kitchen, ensuring that by the time the party wrapped up, every single dish was washed and put away.

Joseph and his family had arrived early that morning to pitch in with the cooking, and their immense help had made the day run smoothly.

"We're family, we're always going to help each other out," Penelope waved her hand dismissively with a warm smile, and Joseph nodded in agreement.

The couple was genuinely happy to see Maya living so comfortably and thriving. After watching Karlos steadily improve his livelihood over the years to provide a wonderful life for Maya and the twins, both Joseph and Penelope had completely changed their tune about him.

Karlos proved to be a devoted partner and a fantastic father. Even Venus and Gavin now looked up to him with genuine respect. Karlos was no longer viewed as a struggling outsider, he was a respected, successful man in his own right.

"Oh, before I forget, here's our birthday gift to you, Karlos."

"A gift? Nah, you really didn't have to. I'm getting too old to expect birthday presents," Karlos said, looking pleasantly surprised as Penelope handed him a small, neatly wrapped box. Attached to it was a card with handwritten words: Happy Birthday, Karlos Alejandro. From the Reyes family.

Reyes was Maya's maiden name. Maya Reyes.

"It's nothing extravagant, but I figured it's something you'd actually use. Joseph was the one who picked it out," Penelope explained.

"Babe, go ahead and open it," Maya encouraged, noticing Karlos hesitating. He rarely ever received gifts, so he wasn't quite sure how to react.

"Okay." He nodded, carefully tearing away the wrapping paper to reveal a heavy-duty, waterproof flashlight. A wide grin broke across his face.

"This is incredibly practical. Thank you so much."

As a fisherman who headed out to sea almost daily, a reliable flashlight was an absolute lifesaver.

"I knew you'd appreciate it. Having spent years on the water myself, I know how vital a good light is. That model is exceptionally bright, and I made sure to include rechargeable batteries to make it even more useful."

Karlos turned the flashlight over in his hands, admiring its rugged, durable build. He instantly fell in love with it.

"Well then, we really need to head home now. It's getting late." Joseph had a full workday tomorrow, meaning he needed to get to bed early.

"Take care, and thank you again, Brother."

"Alright kids, time to head out. Jenny and Marlon, you guys need to get back home too, your parents are probably looking for you," Joseph called out to the children. In his hand, he carried the bottle of wine Karlos had gifted him, looking forward to savoring a glass later that night.

A few minutes later, only Karlos and his immediate family remained. It had been an eventful, heartwarming day, one that Karlos knew he would cherish forever.

"Looks like the little ones are completely tired out. Let's get them into their cribs," Maya smiled softly, looking over at the twins, who had fallen fast asleep right there on the living room couch. Playing hard all day had exhausted them, and the moment night fell, they had crashed instantly.

Now that the children were fast asleep... it was time for Karlos and Maya to celebrate in their own way.

"I almost forgot, I still haven't given you my actual present... Here." Maya handed him a small stack of handmade cards with a mischievous glint in her eye. She blushed slightly, having personally written every phrase on the cards detailing various intimate acts and positions she loved... Truth be told, it wasn't really a gift for Karlos, it was just as much a gift for herself.

"These are one-time-use vouchers. Once you play a card, it's gone for good," she reminded him playfully.

Karlos curiously flipped through the stack, letting out a low chuckle. The cards were filled with cheeky, explicit prompts like sloppy toppy, 69, and several other adventurous ideas.

"So I'm officially allowed to do all of this to you?" Karlos asked, raising an eyebrow.

"M-Most definitely," Maya stammered, a flush of excitement creeping up her neck.

"Alright, let's pick this one first," Karlos selected a card and handed it back to her.

"Ohh... you're very naughty," Maya giggled as she read the word Cunnilingus written across the paper.

The couple thoroughly enjoyed their private time together... Though, as it turned out, the cards were completely used up by the third week. In reality, the vouchers were mostly just for fun, since the couple practically experimented with all kinds of intimate things nearly every single day anyway. If Karlos ever wanted to try something new, Maya was always more than willing, cards or no cards.

The novelty items were just another playful way to spice things up, though they certainly didn't dictate their already active, passionate sex life.

.........
......
...

"Sharon, I heard your boyfriend just resigned from his job. What's going on with that?"

A female worker at the local sardine factory cornered Sharon, pressing her for gossip about Domingo.

"I don't really know," Sharon brushed it off casually... Though she had heard through Domingo himself that he wanted to transition into business rather than continuing life as a truck driver. That exact revelation was the moment Sharon had started seriously contemplating breaking up with him.

Sharon had never seen much of a long-term future with Domingo. She had only agreed to date him in the first place because he was generous with his money, every time he returned from a delivery run, he brought her nice gifts.

Overall, though, Domingo was painfully ordinary. He had average looks and an average height, though his salary had been comfortably above average, which was undeniably a major plus. But the moment he threw away his steady job to chase an unproven venture, Sharon instantly lost whatever interest she had left in him.

It didn't help matters that Domingo had a notoriously difficult mother. Whenever Sharon visited his family home, the older woman would lecture both Domingo and Sharon endlessly about household expenses, constantly preaching that they needed to tighten their belts because starting a family was no small feat.

To be completely honest, Sharon had never had any real intention of building a family with Domingo anyway... She had simply been biding her time, waiting for a wealthier catch to come along. Unfortunately, she wasn't particularly gorgeous enough to easily attract rich men, being entirely average herself.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]
 
Chapter 219 New
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 219



Sharon bid farewell to her coworkers and boarded a tricycle bound for the bus terminal. She remembered that Domingo was selling siomai rice there.

Domingo had been the one to pursue her, and she could tell that he genuinely loved her. Sharon had agreed to date him, realizing he was a sweet, thoughtful man who took wonderful care of her. Whenever he returned from long driving routes across various towns and cities, he always brought back regional delicacies and souvenirs for her and her family.

Her family fully supported Domingo because he was a capable, hardworking individual, and Sharon had initially shared that same opinion.

However, she was deeply furious that Domingo had chosen to resign from his stable job. Sharon had tried to stop him, but Domingo explained that he wanted to increase his income so they could build a secure future together without financial struggles.

'A secure future? When did I ever say I wanted to marry him?' Sharon scowled to herself.

'On top of that, I have no desire to be married to a man who sells siomai. Selling dumplings doesn't sound respectable or professional at all.'

Siomai, a traditional steamed meat dumpling, was a common street food and quick meal across the country. To her, it certainly didn't sound fancy or prestigious.

The tricycle pulled up outside the busy bus terminal. As always, the terminal was buzzing with foot traffic. The main hub in Una Town served as a vital transit stop connecting routes to major destinations, such as Evitac City to the east and Taas City to the north.

Long-distance buses frequently pulled into the terminal, allowing weary travelers to stretch their legs and grab a quick bite to eat while waiting for their departures.

As crowds surged back and forth, Sharon scanned the area to locate Domingo. It didn't take long to spot him.

Domingo and his father were operating their siomai rice stall in a prime, spacious spot. They had even set up a small foldable table for customers who preferred to eat on site.

Domingo enthusiastically called out, "Siomai rice!" while his father efficiently packed warm rice into disposable cups and topped each portion with four hot pieces of siomai. Three or four people were already queuing up to order, and business was clearly thriving.

Unfortunately, Sharon failed to see any positivity in the scene. A scowl deepened across her face as she watched Domingo wipe his sweaty forehead with a towel. To her, he looked entirely unrefined.

He looked like a laborer grinding through backbreaking work... and Sharon felt an instant wave of disgust. Her left eyelid twitched in irritation. Their coastal town was full of fishermen who were constantly sweaty and drenched in the salty stench of fish, and she saw that exact same unappealing image reflected in Domingo right now. To her, both were equally repulsive.

Suddenly, Domingo caught sight of her and called her name, eagerly walking over to greet her.

"Sharon! You came to visit me? I saw you standing over there from afar! I'm so happy you're here. Just give me another half hour, our inventory is almost sold out," he explained proudly. He had been earning 2,500 pesos a day, and that steady success had boosted his energy and enthusiasm through the roof.

"Here, take this chair. You can sit down and wait for me to wrap up."

"Hm," Sharon nodded coldly. She didn't bother greeting Domingo's father, and the old man didn't bother greeting her either. His father had never held a high opinion of her, and Sharon had zero interest in interacting with him anyway.

Sharon dragged the chair a considerable distance away from the food cart, not wanting any passing travelers to associate her with the street stall.

Half an hour later, Domingo finished selling the last of his stock.

"Go talk to your girlfriend, son. I'll handle packing up the stall," his father offered generously.

"Alright, thanks Pa."

Domingo's father loaded the pots and equipment onto the custom cart, neatly folded the large umbrella, and strapped it securely into place. He then collapsed the foldable table and stacked the plastic chairs, tying everything down firmly for transport.

Once he finished, Domingo walked back over, though his face had gone completely pale.

"Are you done talking with Sharon?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah... Yeah, we're done talking. It's over," Domingo muttered, a deeply pained, distant look in his eyes.

"Good, let's head home then. I'll drive the tricycle this time." His father failed to notice the sudden change in Domingo's demeanor.

"Hm," Domingo nodded weakly. His mind felt utterly numb as he tried to process the reality of their conversation.

'So we really broke up? She never actually intended to marry me in the first place... So what have I even been working so hard for?'

.........
......
...

It took two full weeks for the devastating reality of the breakup to truly sink in for Domingo.

He was so utterly heartbroken that it started affecting his daily business. He found himself completely distracted at the stall, occasionally miscounting change and handing customers the wrong amounts. His father eventually realized that something was seriously wrong and gently pressed him about what was going on, but Domingo could only manage a bitter, hollow smile. Sharon had even confessed during their final conversation that she secretly disliked his parents and viewed them as a financial burden.

"Hey, man, your dad personally came to our houses and asked us to help cheer you up. So what's really going on?"

Jerry threw his arm over Domingo's shoulder, having gathered the entire group for a drinking session.

Domingo stared down at the table, clutching a cold bottle of beer. His friends sat around him in silence, waiting for him to speak.

"Come on, why the quiet act? We can't help you through this if you don't tell us what happened," Brandon urged gently.

Domingo tipped the bottle back and chugged the entire beer in one go. Seeing that, the group knew something heavy had gone down.

"My girlfriend dumped me," he blurted out, breaking down into ragged tears.

Karlos and the rest of the group exchanged somber glances, realizing the depth of his pain. They did their best to comfort and encourage him, but they all knew that when it came to a broken heart, only time could truly heal the wound.

They sat quietly, listening to him pour out his heartache, constantly reminding him that no matter what happened, they would always have his back.

[Thank you for reading this novel. You can read more on my Patreon.]
 
Chapter 220 New
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 220


Crying was considered an act of cowardice by many men. Society preached that tears were reserved only for the weak. Because of this stigma, most men rarely showed their vulnerable side, even to their closest loved ones.

But there were moments when a man's tears were unavoidable, when a pain cut so deeply that crying was the only way to ease the heartache.

And now, drowning his sorrow in alcohol, Domingo wept like a child as he poured out everything that had happened. His friends didn't mind the emotional outburst at all. None of them made fun of him, they had long passed that immature stage of adulthood.

They were men who had matured through the harsh realities of life. They understood firsthand that life wasn't easy, and that releasing tears was sometimes the only way to vent the crushing stress that could slowly destroy a man from the inside.

They had zero right to mock Domingo. His long-term girlfriend had just shattered his heart, and he was simply trying to pick up the broken pieces to keep himself together.

Jerry patted Domingo's back continuously to offer silent comfort while the others sat in empathetic silence... The next day, Domingo felt incredibly embarrassed about the breakdown, yet his mental state had visibly improved after letting all those bottled-up emotions out.

Meanwhile, Karlos returned home after wrapping up the drinking session with his crew. He was a bit tipsy, but his mind remained relatively clear.

He unlatched the front gate, stumbled inside, and locked it securely behind him. He then gave the front door a light knock, and Maya opened it almost instantly.

She stood there with her arms crossed, glaring at him while her foot tapped the floor impatiently.

"You're a whole hour late. Look at the clock, it's already 10:30 p.m. You have work tomorrow and you need your rest. Let's get inside. Before you go to sleep, I have something important to talk to you about."

"Babe, I missed you."

As Maya turned around to walk toward the dining table, Karlos wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent and kissing her head lovingly.

"Tch, don't cling to me like that. You smell like alcohol," Maya complained, though her stern expression softened.

"Mmm, I just want to hold you," Karlos mumbled, refusing to let go and pulling her tighter against him.

"Y-You brute!" Maya suddenly felt something hard pressing firmly against her lower back. She broke free from Karlos's grip, her face flushing crimson.

She spun around to confirm her suspicion... and sure enough, a very prominent bulge was rising in Karlos's pants.

She swallowed hard. The children were already fast asleep in their room, meaning they had the entire night ahead to enjoy each other's company.

However, Maya wanted Karlos to put some food in his stomach first to help him sober up.

"Let's sit down at the table first. We're going to eat, and then we'll have a financial meeting."

"Hehe, of course... a 'financial meeting,'" Karlos smirked, sliding quickly into a chair.

"No, this time it's an actual financial meeting." Despite the blush lingering on her cheeks, Maya was genuinely serious about going over their accounts tonight.

The couple ate together quietly, with Maya taking small bites to keep him company. By the time Karlos finished his meal, the haze of alcohol had cleared from his mind.

"Alright, let's talk about our savings." Maya laid out their bank passbook on the table alongside their cash records and the twins' college funds.

"Babe, we currently have 121 million pesos in total... It actually terrifies me, and I honestly don't know what we should be doing with this kind of money," she explained. She had been calculating their total net worth, completely floored by how much wealth they had generated over the past twelve months. They had netted over 80 million pesos in less than a year.

"...Wow. If we factor in the taxes we paid back in April, we technically earned around 150 million pesos total," Karlos remarked, equally amazed.

"Don't remind me about taxes... I'm still bitter about that cut," Maya sighed. She had occasionally thought about researching tax loopholes, but ultimately decided it wasn't worth playing games with the government.

"What really concerns me is how we manage this capital moving forward. Karlos, this is a massive fortune. We could deposit a portion into a high-yield savings account for better interest returns. Or we could invest in a new business venture, or buy up land and real estate for future appreciation."

"Alfred mentioned to me recently that Roman built a new apartment complex in the northern part of town. We could purchase one or two units there and let their value appreciate over time."

"That's a solid strategy," Maya agreed, nodding in approval. She remembered hearing that the northern district was booming as more infrastructure project developments took shape.

"Then let's reach out to Alfred tomorrow. Roman is currently away in Maynila, so contacting Alfred is our best bet to get an introduction to the apartment's general manager."

.........
......
...

Speaking of Roman, he had recently arrived at his grandparents' grand estate alongside his immediate family.

Roman, Alfonso, and Tonto bowed their heads respectfully to greet their grandparents. Standing right behind the three young men were their parents, Heneral and his wife, Allyson Alejandro.

Caesar and Lourdes were in high spirits as their second son's family came to visit. Unlike their previous meeting, where Lourdes was confined to a wheelchair, the matriarch stood up on her own two feet and warmly welcomed Allyson into an embrace.

Despite hailing from a powerful political dynasty, Allyson had an impeccable, grounded upbringing, which earned her Lourdes's deep affection. Allyson and Heneral's romance had bloomed years ago after surviving a dangerous incident in the sea together.

"Allyson, I am so delighted to see you."

"Mother, please let me assist you," Allyson said gently, worried her mother-in-law might be overexerting herself.

"Don't worry, my dear, I'm doing wonderfully. We truly owe a debt of gratitude to Roman for what he accomplished," Lourdes smiled brightly.

Roman stood tall with pride, earning approving nods from both Caesar and Heneral. Roman had managed to find a rare, ancient ginseng, which was subsequently refined by a Master Alchemist into a potent elixir that restored Lourdes's failing health.

Now, the matriarch was thriving and walking around comfortably. With her incredible recovery, the entire Alejandro family was filled with joy.

Lourdes invited her daughter-in-law to join her for afternoon tea in the garden, while the men retired to the study to handle family business.

"Roman, you did well. I am proud of you," Caesar stated with deep sincerity, looking at his grandson.

Roman smiled, gratefully accepting his grandfather's praise. Lourdes was a vital pillar of the Alejandro family, loved by everyone, and Roman had been determined to see her healed.

"I only wanted Grandma to recover," he replied smoothly.

"Hm." Caesar nodded in appreciation, and the five men proceeded to converse. Caesar spent most of the time asking about their daily affairs, and the men responded with updates regarding their respective business ventures, with the sole exception of Tonto.


[Author's Note:]

You can read more on my Patreon with:

97 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight

92 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_makii
 
Chapter 221 New
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 221


The youngest son kept his silence throughout the meeting. He only spoke when his grandfather addressed him directly, taking a small sip of tea and frowning at its bitter taste.

Suddenly, the topic shifted to Roman's love life... Caesar was still holding onto his dream of having a little girl in the family. As one of the wealthiest families in the country, the Alejandro family lacked only one thing: a daughter to spoil and pamper.

"Roman, how are things going between you and your girlfriend? Have you given any thought to marriage?"

"Grandpa—"

"Dad, don't ask Roman something so outrageous. Naturally, he only views that actress as a passing fling, they don't have a serious future together. Roman is going to marry his fiancée," Heneral interjected firmly, refusing to budge on his stance.

Caesar set his teacup down... He wasn't fond of tea either, but his wife constantly insisted he get used to it. He scowled at his second son.

"Heneral, are you really that desperate? Has our family fallen so low that we need to rely on another family to elevate our standing?"

"Veronica comes from a prestigious family that owns the nation's leading telecommunications company. Dad, marrying her isn't a bad move for Roman at all. Besides, they maintain a solid relationship and are quite close. Isn't that right, Roman?"

"Dad, Veronica and I are just friends. I'm currently dating Sidney," Roman answered smoothly. Truth be told, Roman had zero intention of getting married anytime soon. However, he was thoroughly enjoying his time with Sidney, Both of them led busy lives, Sidney with her acting career and Roman with his frequent business trips back to Timog-Kanluran province.

Still, their relationship suited them well, and Roman had no desire to alter the status quo. He also found the idea of dating Veronica uncomfortable, as neither of them harbored romantic feelings for the other.

"See? Your son has made his own decision, and you ought to respect it. You should be asking Tonto about his fiancée instead," Caesar added, turning the spotlight away.

"Him?" Heneral glanced sharply at his youngest son. Tonto instinctively sat up straight in his chair.

"..." Heneral remained quiet.

Just like Roman and Alfonso, Tonto had an arranged fiancée. However, Heneral actually felt a pang of pity for the girl... Tonto was a constant headache, while his fiancée was a prim, highly respectable woman working as a prominent news anchor.

In fact, the woman had made it clear on numerous occasions that she held no affection for Tonto, but her parents insisted the match was set in stone since childhood... Heneral lacked any confidence that Tonto could ever be a decent husband.

At least Alfonso and Roman were men Heneral could rely on, they were exceptional sons. Tonto, on the other hand, was entirely different.

"Alright, let's set marriage talk aside. This is a family gathering, we should enjoy ourselves," Caesar declared. Knowing Heneral and Roman shared the exact same stubbornness, he decided to let them resolve their own conflicts.

Unfortunately, since almost everyone present was a workaholic, the conversation quickly reverted to business operations, leaving Tonto completely isolated.

A few hours later, Heneral's family took their leave from the mansion.

"Dad, my wife and kid are waiting for me at home, so I'll take a separate car," Alfonso bid them farewell. He was eager to get back to his family.

"Give my greetings to your wife and let her know I'll drop by to visit next week," Allyson instructed her son. She was already looking forward to seeing her adorable grandson.

"Will do, Mom. I'll let them know," Alfonso replied before heading to his vehicle.

"Mom, Dad, I have somewhere I need to be as well," Tonto chimed in, quickly seizing the opportunity to slip away before his parents could corner him for another lecture. He was thoroughly sick of their scolding.

"Alright. Drive safely," Allyson told him, her eyes lingering on Tonto's figure as he went into the car.

Back when Tonto was just a small child, he and Allyson had been practically inseparable. He used to cling to her side constantly, craving all of her attention.

'When did everything go so wrong?'

Allyson asked herself silently. Perhaps it started back when Tonto stabbed his classmate in the eye. Allyson had been utterly horrified, reprimanding him severely and raising her voice in disbelief that her own child could commit such a cruel act.

'...The older he gets, the darker he becomes.'

She vividly recalled an incident during Tonto's high school years. After his crush rejected his confession, he hired a hitman to execute her, unable to stomach the humiliation of rejection.

The gunman he contracted belonged to a syndicate nurtured by the Araneto family, Vice Governor Araneto's faction, who maintained a hit squad to handle political rivals and dirty work. Allyson had always despised politics and kept her distance from her family's illicit ventures, striving to maintain her principles despite knowing her bloodline's shady background. Marrying Heneral had been her escape from that world.

Regardless, her relatives had alerted her to Tonto's hit order, leaving Allyson stunned and enraged. For a teenager, Tonto's mind was profoundly twisted, he didn't even bother denying it when confronted. Furious beyond words, Allyson had slapped him across the face, and fortunately, the assassination was aborted in time.

Ever since that day, the bond between mother and son had completely shattered, until Allyson could only view Tonto as a dangerous stranger.

She let out a heavy sigh... It seemed Tonto had inherited the dark, ruthless nature of the Araneto family, standing in stark contrast to the Alejandro family's honorable reputation. She carried a persistent weight of guilt, suspecting her own blood was responsible for how crookedly Tonto had turned out.

.........
......
...

"Phew, fuck those people! All they ever do is obsess over work! Don't they have a single fun bone in their bodies?" Tonto muttered, growing increasingly fed up with his family. Yet he couldn't break away from their grip. Having no actual job of his own, his lavish lifestyle was entirely funded by the trust fund managed by his parents and grandparents.

If he dared to skip these family obligations, his elders would cut off his allowance without hesitation, a threat Heneral and Caesar were strict enough to enforce.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]
 
Chapter 222 New
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 222


"Seriously, when will I ever get my freedom? This family is suffocating." Tonto leaned back in his seat as the car merged onto the highway.

He didn't want to work, all he wanted was to enjoy his life. He vividly recalled the time his father and grandfather had aggressively reprimanded him for secretly selling off construction equipment and materials back when he was doing an internship. Since then, he had no intention of working.

"Sir, where should I take you?" the driver asked, glancing nervously in the rearview mirror. He was one of the estate drivers and was completely unfamiliar with Tonto's personal itinerary.

"Drive me to the Grand Resort Hotel," Tonto replied lazily.

"...But sir, that hotel is owned by our business rivals."

"I know, but our hotels don't have casinos," Tonto shot back. He had always been baffled as to why his family never opened a casino-hotel resort, it seemed like the most lucrative business model in existence.

'It's probably because of Grandpa. That old man has a ridiculous list of moral hang-ups, and gambling is at the top of the blacklist.'

The luxury car glided to a smooth halt directly in front of the grand hotel entrance.

"Don't wait around for me. You can head back, I'm staying here for a few days," Tonto instructed the driver. He remembered that his friends had recently rented out a suite and brought in a handful of high-end escorts for a week-long gangbang.

"T—Tonto!"

Just as Tonto stepped out of the vehicle and headed toward the glass doors, a middle-aged man called out his name urgently.

Tonto paused, turning around with a deep frown because he didn't recognize the stranger. The middle-aged man was of average height, with thinning black hair and a pronounced beer belly. A passing hotel valet glanced briefly at the two of them before walking inside, assuming Tonto and the older man were simply father and son given their striking facial resemblance.

Emmanuel had spent months desperately trying to track down Tonto, but the young man was a ghost, constantly bouncing between various underground casinos and upscale bars where Emmanuel couldn't easily infiltrate.

Fortunately, he had caught wind that the Grand Resort Hotel was one of Tonto's favorite stays, so he decided to wait at the entrance and try his luck.

And now, Emmanuel was finally face-to-face with the chance to reveal a truth that would permanently shatter and rewrite the lives of several people.

.........
......
...

"...So who did this?"

Maya struggled to keep her temper in check, tapping her foot against the kitchen floor in mounting fury. She glared down at the twins, who kept their eyes glued to the floor, actively avoiding her gaze as they stood in terrified silence.

"I literally stepped away for a single second to feed the dogs... And now look at this disaster." She clenched her fists, visible veins throbbing against her temples.

The twins kept their heads bowed, holding their breath and doing their absolute best not to burst into tears. They knew they had crossed a massive line.

"Just look at what you've done," she muttered bitterly.

Arabella's nose was bright red as she nervously glanced at the devastation scattered across the kitchen floor. Shards of ceramic, plastic cups, and various mugs were broken everywhere. It was a massive mess that would take at least an hour to clear, especially with all the broken glass and pottery. Fortunately, most of the plates and cups were heavy-duty plastic, meaning they hadn't completely shattered.

Maya considered herself a woman of immense patience, having calmly tolerated countless toddler messes over the years... But certain boundaries required a strict lecture and a firm spanking. She couldn't let her children grow up reckless and destructive.

"Mama... Wuwuwu, sowwy."

Iñigo finally broke, fat tears spilling down his cheeks and hitting the floor. Maya cast a softening glance at her son before kneeling down so she was eye-level with his tear-streaked face.

"Iñigo, are you the one who caused this?"

"Hm... Wuwuwu." He sobbed miserably, owning up to the fault.

"...Be entirely honest with me."

"I was wong, sowwy Mama." Iñigo began crying even louder.

"Arabella," Maya called out sharply to her daughter, causing the little girl to flinch instinctively.

"Did Iñigo climb the kitchen counter and shove the dish drying rack down just to hunt for hidden snacks?"

"..." Arabella froze, completely tongue-tied.

"A bad kid who creates a disaster like this earns two spanks on the butt," Maya announced, looking thoroughly exhausted, her head throbbing with a fierce migraine. She had barely been gone a moment, yet the kitchen looked like a tornado had ripped through it.

Cleaning the mess was one headache, but replacing the broken ceramics would eat up both time and money. More importantly, she couldn't let her kids think that climbing dangerous counters and destroying household items had no consequences. They needed to learn that poor choices led to disciplinary action.

"!!!" Arabella went pale with horror, and even Iñigo looked on in sheer terror. Two spanks?!

Iñigo wailed even harder, feeling like his doom was certain.

"Alright, since Iñigo admitted his mistake honestly, he gets two swats."

"Mama!! Me! Me! Wuwuwu, I did it!" Arabella shrieked, throwing her arms around Maya's waist and trying desperately to shield Iñigo, knowing her brother was entirely innocent.

Only a few minutes prior, Arabella had dragged a chair over, climbed up onto the counter like a little monkey to look for treats. Iñigo had tried his best to pull her down and warn her to stop, but he had been too late.

The heavy dish rack had tipped over with a loud crash...

Terrified, Arabella had scrambled down and bolted.

"So you were the one behind this?" Maya turned her gaze back to her daughter, having already deduced the truth given Arabella's notorious obsession with climbing and eating.

"Hm! Mama, sowwy! No spanking!" Arabella cried, burying her face tightly against Maya's clothes. She finally understood the gravity of her actions and promised tearfully never to do it again... (Spoiler alert: she would end up smashing the bedroom television a few months later, but that was a tale for another day.)

Maya let out a long, weary sigh.

"Are you hurt? You didn't step on any of the sharp glass shards, did you?" Maya immediately shifted into motherly panic, thoroughly inspecting Arabella's legs and feet. Aside from a few faded scabs from her usual outdoor scrapes and tumbles, Arabella was entirely safe, no cuts or deep wounds.

Maya breathed a heavy sigh of relief. At least the little troublemaker hadn't physically harmed herself.

Still... the cleanup was going to be a nightmare.

"Iñigo, come here. Let me check you over too."

Iñigo sniffled and hiccupped as Maya checked him for injuries. Fortunately, both kids were completely unhurt.

Maya gently wiped Iñigo's tears away. Deep down, she was secretly proud that her little boy had tried to intervene and protect his sister, he was the older twin, after all. At the same time, she worried that Iñigo would turn into a lifelong enabler, constantly cleaning up after Arabella's reckless stunts if she didn't put a stop to it now.

As their mother, she knew her children inside and out, they were an absolute handful. She wanted the absolute best for them, which meant teaching them accountability the hard way.

"Alright, let's head into the living room... Since Arabella finally confessed, she only has to take one spank on the butt."

"Waahhh—!" Arabella bawled, but she bravely accepted her sentence, knowing she deserved it for destroying the kitchen.

Maya firmly banned the children from entering the kitchen area while she cleaned. She swept the floor three separate times and even vacuumed twice to ensure not a single glass shard remained to endanger her family.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]
 
Chapter 223 New
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 223


After that, she made chocolate milk for the twins because she felt bad that they were still sad. Their eyes were swollen and red from crying so hard.

'...They literally just made a massive mess, yet here I am making them chocolate milk.' She couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry. Being a mother was truly a humbling experience.

An hour later, Karlos returned home and immediately noticed the children's puffy, tear-stained eyes.

"...So what kind of trouble did they cause this time?" Karlos asked Maya with an amused grin, proving once again that he understood his children quite well.

"Arabella climbed up and pushed over the dish rack, shattering a few plates."

When Maya explained what happened, Arabella kept her gaze glued to the floor, clutching her plastic cup of chocolate milk tightly. She had already received her disciplinary spanking earlier. While it hadn't physically hurt much, the emotional sting of being punished still made her sad.

"Are they alright? Any injuries?" Karlos asked with immediate concern in his voice.

"They're fine. I checked them over thoroughly, and neither of them has any cuts or bruises."

"That's a relief. Did you manage to clean up the kitchen?" Karlos glanced toward the cooking area, noticing it looked spotless.

"I did."

"Babe, you've worked hard today. I'll take care of the rest of the household chores later," Karlos said, deeply appreciative of Maya's daily efforts.

"Let's eat lunch," Maya smiled warmly, inviting the rest of the family to the table.

During the meal, Karlos gently lectured the twins, explaining that destroying things and climbing where they shouldn't were dangerous habits. The twins solemnly promised they would never do it again.

"Kids, don't give your mother a hard time. Always treat her with kindness," he reminded them, and the twins nodded enthusiastically. They loved their mother with all their hearts.

Later that night, Arabella properly apologized to both Karlos and Maya, even offering to tell them a bedtime story as her own little way of making amends. Unfortunately, Arabella's vocabulary was still quite limited, resulting in a wildly confusing narrative, but her parents listened to her with fond smiles anyway.

Maya gazed affectionately at her little girl. She was simply too adorable to stay mad at. Leaning down, Maya kissed Arabella's chubby cheek, and the little girl giggled and planted a kiss right back.

.........
......
...

Out on the water, Karlos turned the wheel to haul in the longline. The thick line rolled up uniformly over the wheel as a fishing hook broke the surface, snagged to a thrashing fish.

It was a massive swordfish, fighting fiercely for its life, its deadly, spear-like bill swinging through the air in a dangerous arc. Andres quickly stepped in, grabbing a heavy wooden club and striking the swordfish squarely on the head to stun it swiftly. A thrashing swordfish of that size could easily inflict severe injuries if left unchecked.

Once they were certain the fish had stopped moving, Andres and Brandon hauled the heavy creature aboard and unhooked it. The beast measured roughly one meter in length.

"That's the last one for today."

"Good. We can head back now."

The three men grinned, preparing their gear for the journey home. This time, it was Andres's turn to take the helm.

Karlos and Brandon sat down right next to the massive catch, their skin coated in the familiar, briny scent of the open sea.

"It's a good thing we installed these tarps to block the overhead sun. The built-in roof alone wouldn't cut it with both sides completely open," Brandon remarked, and Karlos readily agreed.

Their fishing boat lacked solid cabin walls to shield them from the scorching rays, so the men had rigged up rollable canvas tarps along both sides. That way, depending on the angle of the sun, they could block out the worst of the glare.

Even with the shades pulled, however, the tropical heat was relentless, especially now that peak summer was in full swing. The temperature was torturous.

"For some reason, your skin barely tans, even after all these years of working as a fisherman under the burning sun," Brandon observed, glancing sideways at Karlos.

"Probably just genetics. My family line tends to have fair skin," Karlos replied casually. Though, truth be told, his complexion had transitioned from sickly pale to a healthy, sun-kissed white over the past few years.

"I suppose so. Hey, do you use some kind of secret trick to keep your skin from burning?" Brandon asked with genuine curiosity.

"Nope, it's completely natural. I don't use lotion or follow any skincare routines, I just wash with regular bath soap."

"...Tch, lucky bastard."

"Why are you suddenly asking about my skincare anyway? Are you trying to whiten your skin now?" Karlos chuckled.

"I mean—"

"He's just trying to look good for a woman," Andres chimed in, though his voice was mostly drowned out by the steady hum of the boat's engine.

"A woman? Brandon, do you have someone special in mind? Who is it? Man, you didn't even mention anything," Karlos asked, genuinely surprised.

"It's nothing crazy. We're just talking," Brandon stammered, rubbing the back of his neck shyly.

"So who is it? Do I know her?"

"She's one of Maya's friends," Andres laughed, blowing up his spot.

"How did you even figure that out?" Brandon gasped in betrayal.

"You kept staring in the direction of Maya's friends the entire time during Karlos's birthday party. It wasn't that hard to put two and two together."

"So you met her at my birthday? No wonder you looked so reluctant to leave when I gave you guys cash to go drink elsewhere!" Karlos suddenly pieced the puzzle together.

Maya had invited a few of her friends over to celebrate Karlos's birthday, though they hadn't stayed long. He never expected Brandon would take an interest in one of them.

"So, who is she? Is it Luz, Vin, or Minda?"

"...It's Minda."

"The one with the yellow hair? Bro, you two practically have matching hair colors, is that why you fell for her?"

"Actually, we actually met at the Araneto Villa during your twins' first birthday party... I just remembered her face when she showed up at your house and finally worked up the nerve to strike up a conversation."

Brandon's cheeks flushed slightly, though the dark tan of his skin made it hard to notice.

"Nice! Haha, I'm happy for you. Do you need me to put in a good word? I can ask my wife to help set things up so you two can hang out more."

"...Actually, we're already texting. I asked for her number," Brandon admitted quietly.

"Whoa!"

"Look at you stepping up! We're proud of you."

Just then, a sharp ringing tone chimed across the deck, originating from Brandon's backpack, which was strapped securely to one of the central support poles. Brandon jumped up in a panic, unzipped the bag, and pulled out his phone. A soft, involuntary smile spread across his face as he quickly typed out a reply before stashing the device back inside.

Karlos and Andres burst out laughing, thoroughly entertained by Brandon's flustered reaction. He looked like an awkward teenager experiencing his very first crush.

"Look at our boy Brandon growing up! Hahaha!"

"Oh, shut the hell up," Brandon muttered, his face burning with embarrassment.

The deck echoed with their cheerful laughter as the boat cut smoothly through the waves toward home.

[Thank you for reading this novel. If you want to read more, you can check out my Patreon.]
 

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