KABANATA 1
CONTENT WARNING: R – 18! The remnants of the girl I once was were thrown along with my bridal robe in some stranger’s trash bin. I had slipped into a black dress instead–tight, not too short, too loud for someone grieving, but perfect for someone trying to forget. I didn’t want to cry anymore. I just want to disappear. Natagpuan ko na lamang ang sarili ko sa aming subterranean type bar, sitting alone in front of my almost empty bottle of champagne. Low music hummed through the dim, artificially warmth bar. Drinks were shared and strangers laughed. The aroma of wood smoke and whiskey enveloped me like a call to relax. I don’t know how many shots I've taken but I can already feel the dizziness and my vision is slowly getting blurred when I see a familiar face. Dark suit. Loosened tie. Sleeves rolled. He was also sitting alone not that far from my table, looking at me quietly but with intrigue visible in his face. Our gazes met, I looked at him with a smirk, gulping the last drop of champagne without breaking our eye contact before standing and walking towards him. I lean myself on his table before speaking in a teasing voice. “Are you here to pity me too? Or do you just enjoy watching ladies wreck themselves?” I said before snatching the shot glass of whiskey in his hands and drinking it like I am so thirsty for liquor. He raises his eyebrows, looking so amused before answering. “Not at all. However, you do seem so determined on making a scene.” a soft but bitter chuckle came out of my mouth before answering. “A scene? Absolutely not. I am done being a showpiece for people who only wish to see me destroyed.” Tila may sariling utak ang kamay ko, it moved on its own towards his tie playing it in a flirt full way before pulling it dahilan para magkalapit ang mukha namin. Seeing the few inches distance between our faces, I smiled seductively. “What do you want?” he asked, but I didn’t answer his question. “Right now, I am the one who’s making the decision. No restrictions. No remorse.” Hindi ko na siya hinintay na sumagot pa. I grab his hand and leads him toward the back exit. We head into the dimly lit corridor, making our way to the private suite. Mabilis naman naming narating ang kwarto kung nasaan ang mga gamit ko dahil mas malapit ito sa back exit na dinaanan namin. ‘Tsaka lamang ako bumitaw sa pagkakahawak sa kamay niya nang tuluyan na kaming makapasok. The door slams shut behind us and the thick air was fill with the hint of champagne and something more sinister–an implicit challenge. Tuluyan ko siyang hinarap at dahan-dahang humakbang palapit sa kaniya. “To the betrayal.” I murmur before kissing him passionately pero napatigil din ako ng maramdamang hindi siya tumugon sa mga halik ko. I looked at him, frowning. “So, what is this all about?” he asks. “A revenge?” pagpapatuloy niya pa. A bitter laugh came out of my mouth before I stepped back away from him. “Does it matter?” I took a deep breath before continuing. “I just hate to look like some kind of fool tonight.” He tilts his head, assessing me. “And what makes you think that I’m that kind of man?” “Because you haven’t looked away once.” I answered. “Then make sure you won’t wake up regretting this tomorrow.” he said in a low and steady voice, making his final warning, at siya na mismo ang kusang humakbang palapit sa akin but he doesn’t move, he doesn’t touch me. He just stands so close to me–waiting if I’m going to hesitate. Seing that he had no intention of making a move, ako na mismo ang lumapit at nagdampi ng aming mga labi. Our kisses were passionate but fueled by anger and desperation. I felt his hands wrapping around my waist, pulling me against him as he deepened the kiss. Our clothes drop to the floor one by one as our kisses get more hungry and wild. Tuluyan na akong nawala sa aking sarili. I gave him the freedom to do whatever he wanted to do. ‘Gusto kong takasan ang isiping magdudulot lang ulit sa ‘kin ng sakit, kahit ngayong gabi lang.’ He then grabbed my waist again, firm but gentle, like he doesn’t want to shatter the broken glass that he was holding. He pinned me to the wall as I felt his lips brushing down to my neck and pressing a kiss until he reached the curve of my shoulder. ‘Oh god, this stranger’s kisses are driving me crazy as fvck!’ He carries me in a bridal style and gently places me on bed. Kusa kong inihiga ang aking sarili sa malambot na kama, and there I saw his perfect muscular body better than before. Pumatong siya sa 'kin at idiniin ang aking mga kamay sa headboard ng kama. Mariin akong napapikit, I felt the hardness of his manhood on my thigh. “I don’t want to see you get drunk like that again.” His words make me stop for a second after he whispers that in my ear, it gives me a shiver down to my spine. He unhooked my bra as he played his tongue down and down hanggang makarating ito sa aking dibdib. He started caressing my chest while his other hand was travelling down to my waist. “You’re so damn fucking hot, baby.” after saying that in a husky voice, he kiss me again on my neck, he stopped there for a moment and licked it, ang ginagawa niyang iyon ay nagdulot sa ‘kin ng matinding sensasyon kaya napasabunot ako sa kaniya at huli na para bawiin pa ang kamay ko. Parang binigyan ko siya ng satispaksyon sa kaniyang ginagawa na siyang nagbigay sa kaniya ng malawak na ngisi. Napairap na lamang ako at sa hindi sinasadyang pagkakataon ay dumiretso ang mata ko sa pagitan ng boxer niya. Mariin na lamang akong napalunok nang makita kong bakat ang kanina pang matigas niyang kahabaan sa loob nito. I heard his soft chuckled kaya agad kong ibinaling paningin ko sa ibang direksyon. “Shock huh?” I can hear the grin by the tone of his voice. Pumatong ulit siya sa ‘kin at muli kong naramdaman ang katigasan ng kaniyang pagkalalaki na dumadanggi sa aking puson and it’s turning me on more, paminsan-minsan ay napapadaing pa ‘ko pagnadadali nito ang pagkababae ko. He cupped my both breasts habang naglalakbay ang mga dila niya pababa sa puson ko. I gasp in shock. Mahigpit akong napakapit sa bed sheet nang maramdaman ko ang dila niyang naglalaro paikot sa pusod ko. Nang hindi makapagtimpi ay agad niyang hinigit pababa ang cycling ko kasabay ng underwear ko at inihagis sa kung saan. “Excited huh?” Pang-aasar ko sa kaniya at ginaya ang tono ng pananalita niya kanina habang nakangisi, ang ngisi ko ay agad napalitan ng gulat ng bigla niya akong sunggaban ng halik. He kissed me hungrily, he even bit my lips and sucked it until it turned red. After sucking my lips, he goes down to my jaw and licked it down to my collarbone. Para akong kinukuryente sa mga halik na iginagawad niya sa balat ko. He caressed my left breast while he cover the other one with his warm mouth and the way he sucks gives me a strange feeling down there. His other hand goes down between my legs and an accented moan escapes out of my mouth when his hand suddenly lands on my cunt then he rubs his finger into my wet spot softly. “Damn you, I want to taste every inch of you right now.” After saying those words, he removed his fingers from my quim and brought it into his lips, he licked it like he was licking an ice cream while staring into my eyes with lust. “You taste so sweet, but I want more, baby.” He pulled me in the corner of the bed and parted my legs as he positioned himself between my thighs. Tanging mga impit na ungol na lamang ang kumawala sa bibig ko nang maramdaman ko na ang labi niya sa pagkababae ko. Hinigit ko ang unan na malapit sa akin at agad na itinakip sa mukha ko. Mariin ko itong kinagat upang pigilan ang mga ungol na pilit kumakawala sa labi ko sa tuwing mararamdaman ko ang mga hagod ng dila niya. Parang nawala na ako sa ulirat sa mga sumunod na nangyari, I just felt that he is trying to insert his tongue into my quim. “Fuck! Ugh!” Napasabunot ako sa kaniya at pilit siyang pinipigilan sa ginagawa but he’s too strong, he held me on my both legs to make sure na hindi ako makakaalis habang ginagawa niya iyon. He stuck his tongue in and out of my womanhood while his long-thick fingers gently rubbing my wet quim. Napaigtad ako at mahigpit na napahawak sa balikat niya, halos bumaon doon ang kuko ko dahil sa namumuong tensyon sa loob ko. I felt like I was about to come when he suddenly stopped. Naramdaman kong umalis siya roon, gustuhin ko mang umapila ay tila tinakasan ako ng lakas na kahit magsalita ay hindi ko magawa. He slowly climbed to me leaving a small kisses everywhere his lips pass hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang pumaibabaw sa ‘kin. Hinalikan niya ako na parang uhaw na uhaw sa halik habang binababa niya ang boxer na suot niya. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang tuluyan na niyang maibaba ang boxer niya ramdam ko ang pamumula at pag-init ng mukha ko, he is bigger than I expected. Gumuhit ang kaba sa dibdib ko nang muli siyang pumatong sa ‘kin, I felt his manhood kept brushing the entrance of my quim, gustuhin ko mang umapila ay tila hindi ko magawa dahil nagugustuhan ng taksil kong katawan ang mga nangyayari. He pushed himself slowly inside me. I can feel that he’s trying to be gentle pero dahil nga this is my first time, ramdam na ramdam ko pa rin ang magkahalong sakit at sarap at tanging mariin na pagpikit na lamang ang nagagawa ko sa bawat pag-ulos niya. Bumwelo siya pagkatapos ay umulos ng buong pwersa hanggang sa maisagad niya ito. Naramdaman ko ang pagpatak ng mainit na likido sa gilid ng mata ko habang mariin akong nakapikit at nakayakap sa kaniya. “I’m sorry baby, I need to do that.” Sabi niya at kumilos ng kaunti. “Fuck you! Don’t even try to move or I’m going to kill you!” I murmured in pain. Sumunod naman siya at hindi nga gumalaw. Mga ilang minuto rin kaming tumagal sa ganoong posisyon hanggang sa maramdaman kong muli ang marahan niyang pagbayo. Magkahalong sakit at sarap ang naramdaman ko sa bawat ulos niya, mabagal, bibilis at muling babagal. Patuloy lamang sa ganoong ritmo ang paggalaw niya. “Oh my fucking god!” I screamed in lust when I felt that I was about to come. I think he understood what I mean because he pumped even harder and faster, he’s biting his lower lip while thrusting me hard. As I felt a hot liquid coming out from me, I also felt his released filling me inside my womb. I look at his dark hazel brown eyes, pareho kaming naghahabol ng hininga habang nakatitig sa isa’t isa. He smirk then pull me for a kiss. Sinubsob niya ang sarili sa leeg ko then he whispered something in my ears using his husky voice pero wala na akong naintindihan dahil tuluyan nang bumagsak ang mata ko sa pagod at kalasingan.KABANATA 28“Ms. Celeste Havens, what can you say about the recent allegations against you?” The voice of the reporter pierced through the thick silence, like a gunshot in the middle of a press conference filled with tension.Flashes exploded from all directions. The media swarmed the entrance of Montelare Holdings’ Manila headquarters like vultures. Nag-zoom in ang mga camera sa mukha ni Celeste, tila gutom sa kung ano mang kisap ng emosyon sa mukha niya. But Draven didn’t flinch.He stood tall in a crisp black suit, cold and commanding. The CEO. The billionaire. The man with power that could bury reputations with a single word.And beside him, Celeste stood frozen. Trembling.Celeste’s downfall wasn’t something I dreamed of. It wasn’t revenge that drove me to stand beside Draven as he faced the media—it was the truth. For weeks, I’d been painted as a manipulative wife who wormed her way into the Montelare empire, using seduction and secrets to gain power.But that narrative was abo
KABANATA 27Maliwanag ang ilaw sa boardroom ng Montelare Group kahit dis-oras na ng gabi. Tahimik, pero punong-puno ng tensyon. Nakaupo ako sa dulo ng mesa, habang nasa kabilang dulo si Draven—seryoso ang ekspresyon, malalim ang titig. Para siyang estranghero.Ang mga department heads, legal team, at si Celeste mismo ay nandito. Nasa tabi ko si Nico na nakatitig sa laptop niya, all systems armed for data reveal.I tried to stay calm, even as a dull ache pulsed in my stomach.‘You’re pregnant, Amara.’For my child’s sake, I won’t be silenced. I won’t be intimidated.[FLASHBACK - 2 DAYS BEFORE]Isang email ang natanggap ni Draven. Isang report mula sa IT security team ng Montelare Group. Nakalagay roon ang isang pangalan na pareho naming hindi inaasahan—Amara Syd.“Access logs show multiple breaches during the period of the leaked files. All traced to Amara Syd’s secure account credentials,” nakasaad doon.Kasabay noon, may mga screenshots ng mga chat logs. Isang burner email na nagpapa
KABANATA 26Three days.It’s been three full days since I last stepped out of this room. Not because I’m weak. Not because I’m sick. But because I refused to witness them together again. Every hallway in this mansion echoes with her laughter. Every corner, her perfume. Every glance from Draven—was never mine.And yet, I am here. Carrying his child. His name. His ring. But somehow, not his attention.But tonight, something shifted. Habang nakahiga ako’t nakatitig sa kisame, isang katotohanan ang tumama sa ‘kin.I am still here.I am still his wife.And I refuse to be a shadow.I don’t need to be glamorous para maramdaman ang halaga ko. Hindi ko kailangang ipagsigawan ang presensya ko para lang makipagkompetensiya sa ex na hindi pa rin maka-move on.I was done playing the quiet wife.“Kung multo ako sa bahay na ‘to,” I whispered to myself. “Then I’ll be the most haunting one.”Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagising. Pagkatapos ng tatlong araw, sa wakas ay may lakas na rin akong tumayo. Nalig
KABANATA 25Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang mas mabigat ang hangin ngayon sa mansyon. Kahit walang nagsasalita, kahit walang lumalapit, ramdam ko ang paninimbang. Parang lahat ay nag-aabang ng susunod na hakbang—ng sunod na pagkilos, ng tahimik na pagsabog.At ang sentro ng lahat ng ito?Si Celeste.She stayed.Kinabukasan, pagkagising ko, hindi ko inaasahan na ang unang babati sa ‘kin ay hindi si Manang Fely, hindi rin ang aroma ng breakfast mula sa kusina.Kundi si Celeste—nakatayo sa counter sa may kusina, may hawak na kape, naka-suot ng robe—and that robe..“You’re up,” bati niya ng maramdaman ang presensya ko. “Draven just left. He needed to take a call. Maaga siyang gumising today.”Bakit nandito pa siya? Akala ko ba ay napadaan lang siya? Bakit suot niya ang robe na nasa kwarto ni Draven? Did she also sleep with him last night? Maaga akong binagabag ng mga tanong at pagdududa sa isip ko.Mula sa likod ko, narinig ko ang yapak ni manang Fely. “Ma’am Amara, gusto niyo po ba ng a
KABANATA 24Hindi ko na alam kung kailan nagsimulang maging mas tahimik ang gabi. Hindi ko rin matukoy kung kailan nagsimulang maging mas maingay ang loob ko tuwing wala siya sa tabi ko.Mula nang umalis kami sa Batangas, para bang naiwan din ang katahimikan sa dalampasigan. Sa tuwing pipikit ako ay hinahanap ko ang preskong simoy ng hangin, ang tunog ng alon, at higit sa lahat.. ang presensya ni Draven.Nakakainis aminin pero iyon ang totoo.Lumipas ang buong byahe na wala kaming imik. Pero hindi ‘yung awkward na katahimikan kundi ‘yung magaan, may kung anong aliwalas. Hindi namin kailangang magsalita. Hindi kailangan ng kahit anong kumpirmasyon. Parang sapat na ‘yung katahimikan para sa isang kasunduan na hindi pa rin malinaw kung kailan at paano nagsimula.Hindi ko alam pero kahit na walang mapusok na halikang nangyari, walang malalim na usapan, pero naramdaman kong may binabago siya sa mundo ko.And that alone.. scares me.Parang may nabuksang pinto na hindi ko alam kung saan at p
KABANATA 23Amoy alcohol. Puting ilaw. Maingay na monitor. Lamig ng aircon. Masakit na katawan. Mabigat ang loob. Pero higit sa lahat, may kirot sa puson na parang humihiwa sa kaluluwa ko. Mabigat ang bawat paghinga ko, pero mas mabigat ang takot na gumagapang sa dibdib ko.Naramdaman kong may kamay na humawak sa akin. Mainit, mariin, parang takot na mawala ang hawak. Nang dumilat ako, bumungad ang pamilyar na mukha ng isang lalaki—si Draven, maputla, magulo ang buhok, namumugto ang mga mata. Hindi siya nagsalita agad. Pinagmamasdan lang niya ako, para bang tiniyak kung gising na talaga ako.“Hey,” mahinang bulong niya. “You’re okay. You’re both okay.”Iginala ko ang paningin sa paligid. Nasa ospital ako, may swero ang kamay. May monitor. At ramdam ko pa rin ang panghihina. Pero hindi ko ininda iyon, dahil ang unang inalala ko ay ang anak ko.“‘Y-yung baby ko?” I asked weakly.Tumango si Draven. “Stable na raw. But you still need to rest. Bed rest. Kailangan nating iwasan ang kahit an