Romans de Xai Fria

Five years. It has been exactly five years since the day Seraphina Elise Verdan walked out of my life, or rather, since I let her disappear. At kahit gaano katagal na ang nakalipas, parang kahapon pa rin ang lahat sa alaala ko. Every single detail of that time is etched in my mind—her tears, the pain in her eyes, and the way she looked at me like I was the worst person alive. And maybe, I really am. Maybe I am truly the ruthless, heartless mayor that everyone fears and talks about. But if only they knew the truth. If only they knew why I did what I did.Nakatayo ako dito sa gitna ng malawak at malamig na opisina ko, nakatingin sa labas ng bintana kung saan tanaw ko ang buong siyudad na nasa ilalim ng aking kapangyarihan. Lucien Vale Montero. Mayor. Powerful. Feared. Mayaman. I have everything a man could ever want, yet I have nothing. Everything I touch turns to ash, and everything I love gets taken away or destroyed by my own hands.Napakuyom ang kamao ko nang maalala ko ang dahila

“Evren, wag mong akyatin ang mesa, baka ka mahulog!” paalala ko habang inilalagay ang mga bagong lutong cookies sa plato.Evren quickly climbed down and looked at me with a guilty yet adorable expression. “Sorry, Mommy. I just wanted to get the cup.”Soleil giggled while sitting on the chair, swinging her legs back and forth. “Evren is clumsy! But I am a good girl, right Mommy?”Lumapit ako at hinaplos ang pisngi ni Soleil bago hinarap si Evren. “You are both good kids. But you have to be careful, okay? I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”Nang makaupo na silang dalawa at nagsimulang kumain, umupo ako sa tapat nila at pinagmasdan sila nang mabuti. Parang nakikita ko si Lucien sa bawat galaw ni Evren—ang paraan ng pagkuyom ng kanyang kamay, ang seryosong tingin kapag nag-iisip, at ang matatapang na kilos. Even Soleil, as bubbly and cheerful as she is, has that same sharp gaze when she focuses on something. It’s terrifying and beautiful at the same time. It reminds me that they are truly h

Five years. Exactly five years na ang nakalipas mula noong araw na tumakbo ako palayo sa lahat ng bagay na akala ko ay para sa akin. Five years since I left the city where everything started, where I believed I found love, only to realize I was nothing but a secret kept in the dark. Five years since I ran away carrying a heavy secret inside my womb—two lives that became my whole world, my reason to breathe, and my reason to keep hiding.Nakatayo ako ngayon sa may pintuan ng maliit pero maaliwalas na bahay na matagal ko nang tinawag na tahanan. The morning sun is warm against my skin, parang yakap na nagpapaalala sa akin na kahit gaano kahirap ang nakaraan, nandito pa rin ako, nakatayo, at lumalaban. Sa harapan ko, naglalaro ang dalawang batang nagbigay kulay sa bawat araw ko. Evren and Soleil. My twins. My precious treasures.They are five years old now. Malalaki na sila, matalino, at napakamasiyahin. Watching them laugh and run around the small garden we have makes my heart swell wit