Chloe tries to ignore the nagging feeling when out of nowhere Luke speaks. "Zoie, you have not said hi to Daddy yet" Luke uttered breaking the spell. "I am jealous of Mommy now," Luke said na may halong tampo sa kanyang boses, he even pouted his lips adding to the effect.
Chloe carefully observed a different version of Luke as he interacted with his daughter. His usual scornful look that she had grown accustomed to was now replaced with warmth, longing, and admiration. She watched as his eyes spoke volumes, expressing his emotions that she had not seen before, and Chloe couldn't help but feel a sense of tenderness wash over her as she watched the genuine affection he held for his child. He must have loved his daughter very much.
"I miss you, Daddy! I love you!" Zoie turned her attention to her father this time, Luke scooped her in his arms and embraced her tightly.
"You are a big girl now! You are growing so fast!" he commented, and Chloe was mesmerized by the exchange.
She realizes that Zoie has all the features of Luke, a stunning replica of him. Suddenly, she was yet again feeling remorseful as she acknowledged that she had taken Ruby out of this beautiful family.
She cleared her throat as she tried to stop herself from tearing up, Luke stared at her, and she saw the confusion in his eyes but did not comment further. When they sat inside the van, Zoie was sitting between them. She began to narrate about her new toys and mentioned her daily activities while her parents were away.
"Mommy, I draw big, big flowers and mountains!" she uttered proudly.
Chloe was listening intently as she couldn't help but smile at her eagerness. "Why don't you show it to me once we reached the house?" she suggested.
Sharp gazes went her way again, most especially the blazing eyes of Luke, seemingly wanting to snap her neck. She tried to remain unaffected. “Wala akong ginagawang mali” she consoles herself. Chloe whisked the feeling until they reached the ancestral home of the Ramirez.
“How could I keep up with this act?” She thought to herself.
Chloe was holding Zoie's hand when she suddenly gasped, confronted by the massive garden in front of the mansion. “This place is insane.” She thought to herself.
She's no stranger to luxury, but this was on a whole new level. The front garden resembled a meticulously crafted work of art, with an array of flowers arranged in perfect harmony. Chloe thought about how much her mother would love this place. Each bloom seemed to radiate with love and care, growing beautifully as if nurtured by gentle hands. The fountain at the center of the garden was a sight to behold, reminiscent of the intricate sculptures she had seen in Rome. Chloe couldn't help but marvel at how breathtaking it would look at nighttime, illuminated by cascading lights that would enhance the beauty of the entire masterpiece.
“Why are you acting like this is your first time seeing our house?" Luke commented on bringing her back to reality.
She was reminded once again to be careful of her actions. "I was away far too long; I just miss the familiarity of it," she replied, hoping it would be enough for him to drop the topic.
"You never liked this place; you even said it was your eternal prison," he whispered into her ear, bringing forth a chilling sensation from within. “Ano ang kaibahan ngayon Ruby?” he asked.
She gulped, realizing she had no answer to that question. Chloe looked at him once again, and his eyes remained stoic, mirroring the same intensity as when he usually stared at her, even in the hospital. She exhaled, feeling a sense of exhaustion settle over her.
"I want Mommy to carry me!" Zoie uttered while she raised her arms towards her. She smiled and did what she was asked when Luke readily pulled his daughter away.
"Zoie, Mommy is tired. Let's not strain her, alright?" anito.
Zoie pouted, her eyes welling up with tears, but before she could cry, Luke lowered his body down and talked to her gently. "A lady should not act like this, Zoie; you know that right?" he soothed her. Zoie sniffed, trying hard not to hold back her tears.
Then in her soft little voice, she replied. "Yes Daddy, I am sorry." Luke kissed her daughter and embraced her tightly.
They marched heading to the house and the anticipation built up, when they finally entered the grand ballroom, Chloe yet again found herself mesmerized by the scene in front of her, the place was massive and spacious, bathed with natural light adding to its charms, the colossal chandelier hanging from the ceiling brought the elegance of beauty giving a glimpse of what this home can offer.
"You can rest in your room for now, I will talk to you later," Luke said oblivious to her exploration, Chloe immediately nodded as she tried to snap back to reality. She then roamed her eyes around the mansion as she tried to hide her panic.
“Where is my room then?” She wanted to ask out loud. Chloe stood there in the living room frozen, waiting for a sign from anyone who could point her where she should go, Luke was already upstairs when he quickly stopped his movements, he then turned around to look at her.
"Is there a problem?" he loudly asked, roaring from above.
She tried to calm herself. "Nothing, there is no problem" came her short reply. He paused once again and with another curious thought he uttered internally “Ruby is acting strangely.”
"Mam samahan ko na po kayo sa kwarto ninyo" the driver said habang bitbit nito ang mga maleta ni Chloe.
She smiled warmly, wanting to hug the driver sa tulong nito. “Muntikan na iyon. She has been spared this time.” She thought to herself.
"Sige po, lead the way..." she replied. Biglang napakamot ng ulo ang driver sa naging reaction niya but she didn't mind it anymore.
Once she reached her room and the door was finally shut, Chloe released the air she had been keeping for a while now. She never knew pretending could be this stressful. She just lost a few years of her life because of her lies. She was ready to recuperate when suddenly, a loud knock echoed on her door, she traced her steps, and when she opened it, it was Luke.
“What now?” she thought to herself.
She breathed deeply.
"What was that act earlier?" Luke busted her door open and entered the room without her consent. His back was turned to her, and he didn't notice the stunned look on her face.
Napanganga si Chloe sa naging reaksiyon ni Luke while comprehending his words. “Act? I was not acting” she wanted to say.
She sighed, trying to calm herself. "What do you mean, what did I do wrong this time?" She wanted to clarify while she walked a few steps away and sat down at the edge of the bed.
He laughed as if it was the funniest thing in the world. "Did you lose all your memory because of the accident?" he stated, his tone dripping with sarcasm. His eyes were glaring at her, his face was damp with controlled anger, and Chloe reminded herself that she should not get riled up and retaliate, his hatred was not about her. “This is not personal; this is all Ruby” she whispered.
Now facing her, some buttons of his sleeves were unhooking, revealing glimpses of his chest. Chloe tried to concentrate, but the sight distracted her. She swallowed.
"You've been acting strangely, Ruby, even towards how you treat our daughter. When did you start showing affection towards Zoie? Don't tell me you've had a sudden epiphany, realizing you want to do what's right for our child?" He mocked; his words delivered calmly but carrying a weight that was hard to ignore. He intended to insult her, and he succeeded.
Chloe closed her eyes tightly; she felt a throb in her temple, threatening a possible migraine. “Gaano ba kasamang ina itong si Ruby? All along she thought she acted normally in front of the little girl. Now she gets wound up because it is not usual for Ruby to care, to be compassionate, to love her child. How could that woman resist her lovable daughter? No wonder this marriage is a mess. Ruby Ramirez is a piece of work." She reflected.
Bigla niyang naalala na hindi siya dapat magreklamo sa sitwasyon niya ngayon, it was her choice to assume Ruby's role, all the good and bad, now facing how Ruby dealt with her family was one of the pieces she signed up for. She needs to remember that.
"Is it wrong for me to change and be better? Wala na ba talaga akong karapatan or pag-asa na magbago, Luke?" she asked back, softly, her voice filled with uncertainty.
He brushed his hair upwards, barely concealing his irritation. "Let's revisit, Ruby, and remind you of what nearly transpired with our daughter. Remember after you learned about your pregnancy, you chose to terminate our child without considering my feelings? You were willing to sacrifice our family for your career ambitions. I beg you not to do it, I submit to all your demands just to appease you. And even after keeping our child, you blamed both her and me for your physical changes and how they ruined your body. Three years have passed, and you haven't shown any affection for your flesh and blood. Zoie is your daughter, but you never treated her as such. So, tell me, what changes now?" He spoke through clenched teeth, his anger contained but palpable.
Chloe was taken aback by this revelation. The depth of disdain and contempt in his words surpassed anything she had ever anticipated.
How could she find peace in navigating this life? All she wanted was happiness for Ruby's family, as she had promised to do, hoping to atone for all her past sins. Yet, she hadn't realized that this woman was the source of such profound pain for her husband and daughter. How could she reconcile that truth, knowing she bears Ruby’s face?
She silently whimpered.
"I'm sorry" she replied softly, her heart heavy with understanding. She was sorry for Luke who had to put up with his wife. She was sorry for Zoie who probably didn't feel the love and affection from her mother. "Isn't that a bit late now?" Luke’s words pierced like daggers, aiming to maim her. "Why are we still married anyway?" She blurted out unexpectedly, instinctively covering her mouth, wanting to suppress the words. A feeling of regret washed over her. Chloe knew she had no right, no right whatsoever to interfere in this relationship. At that moment, she wished she could disappear into thin air. Strong hands were on Chloe's shoulder as he held her close. It was almost painful how tight his grip was. "You are hurting me" she whispered, habang may takot sa kanyang mga mata. Luke slowly loosened his grip, yet his eyes were full of malice, penetrating her soul. "I don't know what charade you are pulling now. If it weren’t for Zoie and your sick games of manipulation, I would fil
Luke arrived at the house well past midnight. His afternoon encounter with Ruby had made him go spiral, causing him to hastily retreat out of the mansion away from the witch. He was eager to distance himself from her presence. Exhausted, Luke needed to clear his mind, so he turned to work as his best distraction. "Magandang gabi po sir" pagbati ni Lisa dito. He nodded. "Good evening, where is Zoie?" He directly asked. "Natutulog na po sir, napagod po iyon sa kakalaro sa Mommy niya" she narrated and as Luke listened to Lisa recount the events, he swiftly turned his head around in disbelief. "Mommy? Si Ruby?" He clarified, shocked by what he had heard. "Yes, po sir. Si Mam Ruby po. Siya din po nagpakain kay Zoie kanina sa hapunan" she added to her story. "Si Ruby?" He repeated the same question, the information not quite registering in his mind. "Opo sir." Lisa yet again confirmed. He couldn't believe it. In three years, Ruby had never shown any care for their daughter. Hearing w
Chloe was engrossed in playing with Zoie one morning, guiding her through building bricks and solving puzzles to develop critical thinking skills. Chloe prepared a colorful building block and a set of LEGO, Zoie’s eager hands touched the toy with enthusiasm, while her eyes sparkled with joy, at first she stacked the block clumsily, and she giggled seeing how the tower wobbled and got destroyed. Chloe was there to guide helping her to ignite her imagination and creativity. Chloe smiled at how much energy a child can have, the way they learned in constant repetition amazed her. They say rearing a child requires a lot of patience and Chloe realized that first hand. They continued with their exploration and cooperative play eventually Chloe and Zoie got lost in their little world, at dahil diyan hindi napansin ni Chloe ang pagdating ni Luke, as he came earlier than expected. Chloe watched him and she could see that he was tired. His shoulders slumped and his face even though still looking
Chloe stood up abruptly and angrily preached herself. "Why does it matter if he understands or not?" She questioned herself. “Is it important what he thinks of me?” she paused and her mind said yes. She mused.Her mind drifted back to the moment when he kissed her in the hallway, his kiss was gentle and sweet however a sudden coldness ran down her spine as he unexpectedly called her Ruby amid their kiss. It was ridiculous. Did she expect him to call her by her real name? Of course, ang mukhang nakikita niya ay ang mukha ng kanyang asawa. Would that be the same motivation why he kissed her again a moment ago? Because he missed his wife? Chloe ran her fingertips on her lips recalling how it felt. She swallowed as she blushed uncontrollably. She suddenly felt hot wanting to decrease the temperature even more. The way Luke’s arms cradled her closely made her feel safe and protected. Her eyes widened from her thoughts, it was
Luke closed his eyes tightly pushing Ruby’s image out of his mind as he tried hard to make sense of his feelings. He wanted to be with his wife, to feel her close. But on the other hand, he couldn't shake off his strong dislike for Ruby. It felt like a mix of wanting something and hating it at the same time. It was equally repulsive. These thoughts of her kept bothering him for days now, tormenting him over and over. It made him feel upset and confused. He had been fighting with it for a while now and he was almost at his breaking point.He snapped his eyes open and studied Ruby's sleeping form from head to toe. "This is wrong," he thought to himself, feeling the clash of ideas. Just then, another voice in his mind countered, "But we are still married on paper, despite the mess we're in. Technically, I have the right to make love to my wife. Right?" Luke stared at her chest going up and down in each intake of her breath, she was sleeping peacefully unaware
Matapos ang mahabang pagmuni-muni ni Chloe sa banyo, she then went back to the bedroom and tried to make her bed ng may bigla siyang nakita na gamit that was totally out of place, napansin niya ito na nakalatag sa sahig. She readily picked it up and realized it was an Alligator Engine belt by Ralph Lauren, expensive stuff. A confused look went her way.“Kaninong sinturon ito at bakit naririto ito sa kwarto niya?”As the nagging feeling struck her, she couldn't help but think. “Could this belong to Luke?”A feeling of utter disbelief slowly penetrated her consciousness, like an intruder pushing its way into her thoughts. Despite the evidence she was holding right now, Chloe fought against it, desperately trying to deny an ounce of truth, clinging to the fact that it was all her dream.“No way.” Her eyes widened. She turned around and pondered on it for a moment, she shook her head and pursed her l
"Mrs. Ramirez, nasa-nasa conference pa po si Sir- Sir Luke. I'll inform him of your arrival if you can just wait for a moment please." Saad nitong hindi mapigilan na mautal.She nodded as she patiently sat in his office lounge.It's a massive office.Chloe thought. The lobby exuded an air of professionalism and efficiency. It was tastefully decorated with modern furnishings and sleek design elements. A large desk occupied the center of the room, where the secretary sat, poised and attentive. Behind her, a wall of glass windows offered a stunning view of the city skyline, while potted plants added a touch of greenery to the space. The atmosphere was calm and light. She wonders if it’s the same in the operation.Shortly after Chloe stood up, she felt like stretching her legs and exploring the area. As she walked around, she passed by Luke's secretary, who was busy dialing numbers, and didn't notice Chloe walking through the office. Chloe then walked towar
Weeks passed, and Chloe infiltrated Lucille's trust, seamlessly following through with her business proposal to become the ambassador of her clothing line. Although her commitment hadn't fully materialized yet, Lucille had already sent out the contract outlining what Chloe needed to fulfill. Part of it was to model the clothes available in her store and the exclusive events she needed to attend. As she slowly put into action her plans the more that she needed to keep up with her lies, Chloe realized the necessity of fully embodying the character she was portraying. Lucille was her stepmother, and she had lived with them for some time. Chloe knew she had to be careful not to intentionally reveal any gestures or behaviors that would give Lucille a clue about her real identity. She needs to believe that she is Ruby and be immersed in her world fully to survive. And so, Chloe found herself walking on eggshells, carefully planning each step to gain Lucille's trust and friendship.