CHAPTER 2

ELIRA’S POV

Pagkagising ko kinabukasan, hindi ko agad naalalang kasal na pala ako.

Not until I saw the ring on my finger.

Simple. Silver. Walang ukit. Walang pangalan.

Parang relasyon namin—walang emosyon.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa salamin.

My eyes were tired. My soul even more.

“Good morning, Ma’am Elira.”

Bati ng maid habang sinasamahan ako sa dining area.

Pagdating ko, naroon na si Kael. Nakaayos ang buhok, suot ang signature black suit, at tahimik na nagkakape habang binabasa ang isang report.

He didn’t even look up.

“Good morning,” I said softly.

Walang sagot.

Wow. Okay. Ganito pala ang breakfast with my husband.

Napaupo ako sa tapat niya at tahimik na nagsandok ng kanin. May garlic rice, egg, salmon, fruits—kumpleto.

Pero parang lahat mapait.

Tumikhim siya.

“You’re not allowed to attend tonight’s board event.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya. “Board event? Bakit?”

“Because you’re not needed there,” he said plainly. “You’re not a real wife.”

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko sa sinabi niya masasaktan ba ako o matatawa dahil naalala ko mag asawa lang pala kami sa papel, its a contract not love at all.

“Alam mo Kael,” I said, pinilit ko maging kalmado, “hindi mo na kailangan ulit-ulitin na wala akong halaga. Gets ko na.”

He finally looked at me. But his expression? Still ice.

“You agreed to this.”

“Yes,” I whispered, “pero hindi ko inexpect na mas masakit pa pala ang kasal kaysa sa rejection letter.”

Tahimik siya.

Napailing na lang ako at tumayo. “Salamat sa almusal. Hindi ko na siya kayang lunukin.”

I slammed the door and collapsed on my bed. Gusto kong sumigaw. Gusto kong umiiyak. Pero walang lumalabas.

Then, my phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: “Check the photo I sent. Do you really know who your husband is?”

Kinabahan ako.

Agad kong binuksan ang attachment.

It was a blurry photo. A woman—halos kasing edad ko—nasa loob ng kotse… kasama si Kael. Holding hands.

My stomach turned.

Hindi. Imposible. Baka lumang picture lang ‘to.

I scrolled down. Another message.

Unknown Number: “He’s lying to you. Just like he lied to her.”

Sino 'to?

Napaupo ako, hinihingal.

I stared at the screen. Do I show this to Kael?

Or do I pretend I never saw it?

Later that night, kahit bawal, sumilip ako sa hallway papuntang ballroom.

Mula sa crack ng pinto, I saw Kael in the middle of the room. Smiling. Talking to investors.

At katabi niya?

Yung babae sa picture.

She wore red. Gorgeous. Confident. Parang may alam siyang hindi ko alam.

Then, she whispered something to Kael—and he laughed.

First time ko siyang nakitang ngumiti buong araw… at hindi ako ang dahilan.

My chest felt tight.

I walked away silently.

But just before I turned the corner, someone grabbed my wrist.

“Walang sinabi sa ‘yo si Kael, ‘no?” the woman said.

Nagulat ako. She looked me dead in the eye.

“I’m Solene. His ex-fiancée. And the real reason you’ll never be more than a contract bride.”