Chap 3

Mika

I woke up because of the sunlight hitting my body. Slowly, I opened my eyes and sat up.

My gaze immediately shifted to the space beside me, only to find it empty. The pillow he had used last night was already cold.

He was gone. It felt like my whole world collapsed in that single realization. I swallowed hard and forced myself to stand, preparing myself for the day ahead.

I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes lingering on the hickeys Ashton had left on my skin. I didn’t know why I couldn’t feel anything right now. My body ached, but it felt like nothing to me.

It was as if everything had gone back to the way it was before he came. My old routine returned.

My loneliness came back.

And most of all… my silence.

I never thought it would be this easy for him—to just pass through my life and leave as if nothing had happened.

As if we were never married.

“I heard that your father and your sister are coming home today, ma’am,” Yna said while gently brushing my long hair. She was one of the maids in the house.

A faint, sad smile formed on my lips as I stared at my reflection.

“That’s… good,” I murmured softly.

But the forced smile quickly disappeared.

They’re coming back.

Ever since I got married to Ashton, they had already received the money from the deal. Right after that, they went abroad to enjoy themselves and live freely.

Honestly, I preferred it when they weren’t here. Everything was peaceful—no one to hurt me, no one to treat me like I was nothing.

“Aren’t you going to ask why they’re coming back?” Yna suddenly asked, interrupting my thoughts.

I looked at her reflection in the mirror, confused.

“Is there a reason why they’re coming home?” I asked, now curious about what she had heard.

She nodded and continued brushing my hair.

“They said they’re coming back to meet Sir Ashton—your husband. They heard he’ll be returning here, so they want to welcome him properly,” she explained before pausing to fix my hair neatly.

I froze at her words, especially when I heard Ashton’s name.

He’s coming back here? Why? What does he still have to come back for?

A strange feeling of nervousness crept into my chest.

“And you’re so lucky, ma’am,” she added, making me frown in confusion.

“Huh? Why would you say I’m lucky?” I asked.

“Haven’t you heard the news about Sir Ashton?” she asked, catching my interest.

“What news?”

“They say he won as Governor in Canada,” she said.

My mouth fell open in shock. Even after Yna finished fixing my hair, that was all I could think about.

“What time will Father and the others arrive?” I finally asked.

“They should be here soon, ma’am. He said earlier that he wants to talk to you as soon as they arrive,” she replied.

A sudden wave of anxiety washed over me.

This wasn’t like Father. He wouldn’t want to talk to me unless I had done something wrong.

The uneasiness in my chest didn’t fade—not even when they finally arrived.

I was sitting in the living room, but the moment I saw them, I immediately stood up. I lowered my gaze.

“Y-you’re home, Dad,” I said softly, my heart pounding uncontrollably.

I heard his footsteps approaching me, and then—

“Ahh!” I cried out when a strong slap landed across my cheek.

My eyes shut tightly. Tears immediately formed, but I kept my head lowered, silent.

I already knew this would be the first thing to greet me when he returned.

“You’re completely useless!” he shouted and slapped me again.

The force of it made me fall to the floor. I quickly held my cheek, wincing from the pain.

My eyes remained fixed on the floor as tears silently streamed down my face.

“Ashton Hernandez is coming back to the Philippines, and there’s only one reason for that, he’s going to divorce you because of your stupidity! I told you from the beginning to give him everything he needed so he wouldn’t leave you, but look at you now—” he cut himself off.

He slammed his cane against my head.

“Agh…” I groaned weakly.

“You’re so irritating. Do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn’t leave you. If I find out he divorces you, you’ll regret it,” he said angrily before walking away.

Only then did I slowly lift my gaze.

I saw my sister, Aira, sitting on the sofa, watching me suffer as if it were entertainment. She held her phone, though it wasn’t even on. She stood up and walked toward me.

For a moment, I thought she would help me.

But she didn’t.

She knelt down and wiped the tears from my face, almost mockingly. Then she smiled.

“Maybe that Ashton guy is coming back because he found someone prettier than you. You probably didn’t even give yourself to him on your wedding night, did you?” she said, her voice filled with mockery rather than sincerity.

She leaned closer to my ear and whispered—

“If I were you, I’d give my body to him so he wouldn’t leave me. What a waste—he may be ugly and fat, but he’s rich… Do you know this is your fault why we had to come back? We heard Ashton is returning, and Dad is sure there’s a reason. And there’s only one, he’s going to leave you. And when that happens… you’re done for.”

She tapped my cheek lightly before walking away.

I lowered my head again, her words echoing in my mind.

“Mika… where does it hurt?” I heard Yna whisper beside me, holding a pack of ice.

“Come here, I’ll treat your wounds. Sir Ashton must not see the marks on your face,” she said gently as she helped me sit on the sofa.