CHAPTER 2

AGNES LA TRINIDAD's POV

He let out a sigh and stomped over to the side. 

.“Learn to stay in your place, bro,” Henry sneered before bumping his shoulder against him and walking past completely.

Luis was left standing on the side, his fists clenched and his jaw tightening in anger as he watched the mother and son approach my bed. I just stared at my husband as tears continued to stream down my cheeks. Forcing myself to gather whatever strength I had left, I tried to speak.

"Our baby... my baby is gone," I said, filled with bitter grief.

But instead of being shocked or showing even a shred of sadness, Henry's lips curved into a slow smile. It was as if he had just heard wonderful news, and as if it wasn't his own child that had been lost.

"Thank God," he said, kissing my hand. "Honestly, Agnes... maybe it’s for the best. Just think about your career. You’ve been wanting to return to acting, right? How can you rebuild your career if you're stuck raising a child? I'm only thinking about you."

I stared at Mom, hoping she would come to my rescue.

"This is our fresh start, Agnes. Didn't I tell you that once the company is doing well, I’ll support your career fully? This is it. Just a little more patience. You can go back to showbiz without anything weighing on your mind. So stop crying, okay? It’s fine."

‘Just a little more patience’ I had been hearing that from him for ten years now. It had already lost all meaning to me.

"Ugh, You’re giving me a headache!!" Anabelle snapped. “And you, Agnes, if you knew you were pregnant, why did you have to be so dramatic and run out into the street?! What did you think you were, the lead star in a telenovela? Good grief!”

“M-Mom” I sobbed. 

She was the one I expected to understand me despite everything that happened. She was a woman too, and a mother herself. She should have understood where I was coming from.

“Mom, don't talk to Agnes like that. She isn't feeling well,” Henry scolded, caressing my cheek.

His touch felt like an open flame. Painful, frightening, and enough to make my entire body shudder.

“Oh, my poor grandchild!” 

A faint glimmer of hope sparked in my chest upon hearing her say that. 

“But forget about it! In fact, you should be thanking God that you didn't end up tied to the house! You know Henry would find it difficult to support your acting career if you had a baby to take care of."

‘How can they even say these kinds of things? Are they even human?’

“Y-Yes, Mom, I understand,” I agreed, almost gagging. I felt sick to my stomach just listening to the two of them.

Henry glanced down at his wristwatch. 

"Mom, we need to go. I'm needed at the office right now," he said hurriedly. He stood up quickly as if there were an emergency.

“Alright then, Agnes. You can manage to go home by yourself, right? You just had a miscarriage, you aren't crippled.”

"I have to go, Agnes. I’m sure you understand, right? You know I don't want your family to be disappointed in me. Rest well, okay? I’ll be home later for dinner. Just cook some shrimp for me so I can eat with you.”

My mouth hung open at how he could still manage to order me around in my current condition.

After a few hours, I insisted on going home. Even though Luis didn't want me to, there was nothing he could do.

“Why are you helping me?” I asked him directly as he assisted me into bed. “I thought you hated me.”

He just rolled his eyes at me. We were already inside the house I shared with Henry. Luis hadn't stopped lecturing me since we were left alone, but he never left my side either. He even escorted me all the way inside my room. He even carried me bridal style.

'He hasn't changed at all, he’s still a gentleman,' I whispered to myself.

“Grace called me,” he answered.

I nodded. “So you two are still in touch.”

Grace was the one I had called for help when I ran away from Henry. But since she was heavily pregnant and near her due, it was dangerous for her to go out and drive, especially since it was raining. I never expected that she would turn to Luis to come and find me.

“Yeah, you’re the only one who erased me from your world,” he said sarcastically. “Aren’t you gonna tell your parents about this? They need to know what the De Luca family is doing to you."

I quickly shook my head. "No, Luis... don't."

He stared at me with pure frustration. "You almost died! He k*lled your baby! Your life is falling apart and you still refuse to speak up?!"

It was ironic. I could clearly see the annoyance in his eyes, but I could deeply feel the concern in his voice.

"I-It’s not like that. I just don't want my Dad to get dragged into our marital problems," I replied softly. "I don't want them to suffer because of my mistakes. They’ll only worry, and who knows what might happen to them if they cross paths with the De Lucas."

"So what, you're just going to let this slide?" Luis pressed on, holding his forehead. “I’m going to die of worry for you, Agnes.”

“Luis, he’s still my husband. And… what can I even do? I am nothing without him, Luis.”

He shook his head and turned his back on me. I watched him turn the doorknob to the bedroom door, but right before he stepped out…

“You know what, Agnes? Fvck your marriage. And fvck you for not giving your child justice.”

He spoke with anger, but the pain in his voice was what resonated the most.

As the door slammed shut loudly, Luis’s words felt like a slap to my face. I broke down crying. My baby… I lost my baby without even getting the chance to hug or hold them.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, baby. I want to fight for you, but I can't even bring myself to fight for myself…”

I wasn't stupid, that was one thing I was sure of. But I forced myself to set everything aside for the De Lucas because I knew that getting a divorce wasn't an option for me. My family’s law firm is partnered with Henry’s business. I was the one who volunteered to marry him, and this is the sole reason why my own family treats me well.

A few hours passed, and I heard the sound of Henry's car arriving. Even though it was a struggle, I forced myself up to greet him. But before I could even make it down the stairs, I heard him talking to someone on the phone.