CHAPTER 7: THE MASKED TRUTH

Maria's POV

Some say before you die, you see your life flash before your eyes while you do nothing about it.

In my case, it was fundamentally different. My heart stopped pumping blood as I died a thousand times from the inside.

The imaginary death occurred when Timmy popped the question in the presence of Ethan.

The son of a bitch wouldn't take his eyes off me.

He paid attention as if his life depended on it while he waited for me to respond.

I was grateful for Timmy's tiny voice, which made it difficult for the audience to grasp what he said.

I looked clueless and helpless, hoping the ground would engulf me so I could be safe from the dilemma.

“No, son.

He isn't your father.

And he can never be your father,” I told Timmy, my son.

My response shattered Ethan's heart to shreds, and he was sweaty despite the air conditioner being on.

Before that moment, I wasn't a staunch advocate for dishonesty.

I've always taught my sons not to lie, but today, I had no choice but to do the opposite of what I always preached.

I did it for their future.

I did it for their sanity.

I wouldn't want someone like Ethan close to me, let alone to be the father of my boys.

“Mom, if he can't be my father, then where's my father?” Timmy asked another provocative question that got under my skin.

I was getting so uncomfortable with his questions. If he wasn't my son, I would have spanked his butt.

“Your father is coming soon, son. You don't have anything to worry about.

Can you stop asking Mommy questions?” I responded to Timmy while narrowing my gaze at Ethan.

The plan was to spite him with the response, and I guess it worked.

I saw the disappointing look that swarmed across Ethan's face after my response.

He must be swimming in a pool of regret already.

He might not have uttered a word to me, but I could sense it from his body language.

I grabbed the mic, held my award, and prepared myself to address the crowd.

I started by clearing my throat and inviting Andrew on stage with me.

“Can I get a round of applause as he steps on stage?” I urged the crowd to give Andrew the recognition he deserves.

That wasn't the plan.

I didn't intend to involve Andrew in my appreciation speech.

However, the thought of getting back at Ethan forced me to break the protocols, and I loved every bit of it.

Ethan's face was suddenly changing from its original skin tone.

If he stayed under the scorching sun for thirty minutes, he'd likely melt like ice.

Judging by the way his legs trembled, I wouldn't be surprised if he started peeing in his pants.

Immediately, Andrew joined me on stage, and we shared a passionate kiss.

I was making a movie out of the award ceremony.

"I am sorry for that.

I just couldn't help it," I teased the audience with an apology as they all laughed.

“I want to start by appreciating everyone who voted for me.

Without your votes, I wouldn't be standing here holding this prestigious award right now,” I finally proceeded with my speech after a couple of minutes of Oscar-worthy drama.

“And lastly, before I forget, I would love to appreciate some men in my life who have been the source of my happiness,” I said shortly before leaving the stage.

Ethan's smile returned to his face. He thought it was the moment I’d speak to him.

He got the shock of his life when I neglected him like a plague and instead paid homage to my triplets and Andrew.

The way I spoke highly of Andrew, I made it seem like he was responsible for the air I breathe.

And of course, Andrew kissed me on the lips after reminding me of how much he loved me.

I received loud cheers and applause from the crowd as we returned to our seats.

Everyone was seemingly super excited about my progress—except two people: Ethan and Susan.

Susan gave me a scary stare as though she wanted to be murdered in cold blood by strangulation.

Everything about her screamed hatred, envy, and violence. Nothing had changed about her since I left.

She was still that bitter and manipulative bitch who stabbed me in the back a couple of years ago after I helped her.

The only difference now was her marriage to Ethan. The fact that she snatched Ethan from me didn’t make her remorseful.

From what I witnessed, it's damn obvious that she’d be willing to snatch Andrew from me at the slightest opportunity—just like she did with Ethan.

If only she had the slightest idea how upright Andrew is. I could bet my kidney she stands no chance with him.

“That was a brilliant speech. I’ve never seen anything like that before. Did you rehearse those lines?

I bet you did because I don’t think they were natural,” Andrew applauded as the ceremony approached its climax.

“Not entirely correct!

I didn’t prepare for the speech.

Where on earth would I find time for that when you and my triplets are my biggest motivations?” I praised Andrew in response.

The award ceremony ended with me taking photos with other winners.

Andrew and my triplets weren’t left out either. I ensured we all took photos together like a family.

As we approached the end of the hall, I heard someone address me as “Maria”—my old, abandoned name.

I was stunned and dumbfounded.

I nearly suffered a panic attack, knowing that no one had called me Maria in recent times.

“Who could that be?” I asked myself rhetorically as my voice echoed back to me.

At that point, I had a feeling that someone from my past had returned to haunt me like prey.