chapter 3

ELIRA’S POV

“I’m Solene. His ex-fiancée.”

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig.

She stood there — flawless, fierce, full of poison behind that red lipstick. And confident, like she knew something I didn’t.

“Anong ibig mong sabihin?” tanong ko, kahit nanginginig ang boses ko.

Solene smirked, tilting her head like she was inspecting me.

“Don’t act surprised. You really think ikaw lang ang babaeng pinakasalan ni Kael secretly?”

What?

“Hindi ko alam kung sinasabi mo ‘yan para guluhin ako,” I snapped, “or dahil wala kang ibang makalaban.”

But before she could answer, may boses sa likod namin.

“Solene.”

Kael.

Cold. Calm. Dangerous.

Napalingon kami pareho.

His eyes landed on me first, then slowly to her. “What are you doing here?”

Solene raised her brows. “Just catching up with your little secret, darling. You’ve gotten better at hiding things.”

“You’re not welcome here.”

Kael’s voice had weight. Authority. At kahit galit siya, hindi siya sumisigaw.

“I’ll leave,” she said, shrugging. “But Elira should know what she’s really gotten herself into.”

She leaned toward me, whispering, “You think he married you out of pity? Try revenge.”

Then she walked away like she won.

I stood there frozen and trying to understand what solene said.

Revenge? Against who? Me?

I turned to Kael.

“Is it true?” I asked, barely breathing.

“Whatever she said—”

“Answer me, Kael.”

For the first time, ginamit ko ang pangalan niya without fear. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Tahimik. He didn’t deny it. He didn’t explain.

Instead, he turned around and walked away na tila ba walang kwenta ang aking tanong sa kaniya. habang papalo siya ng papalayo ang mas dumarami ang katanungan sa aking isipan kung ano ba talaga ang nagyayari. bakit tila may tinatago sa akin si kael. Masyado maraming nagyari ngayjng araw kaua napag- isipan ko na lang na pumunta at mag pahinga sa kwarta.I locked the door and stared at the reflection in the mirror.

Sino ka ba, Elira? Asawa ka sa papel, pero anong silbi kung hindi ka pinagkakatiwalaan?

My phone buzzed.

Unknown Number:

“If you want answers, meet me tomorrow. Café Luna. 9 a.m. Come alone.”

No name. No explanation.

Pero may kutob ako kung sino ‘yon.

And for once… I was done waiting for Kael to talk.

I arrived 10 minutes early. Naka-hoodie ako, plain jeans — no trace of being "Mrs. Thorne."

I sat in the far corner. Tahimik ang café, konti lang ang tao.

Then someone sat across me.

Not Solene.

A man.

Rugged. May faint scar sa jawline niya. Sharp eyes. Dangerous aura.

“You’re Elira,” he said. Not a question.

“Who are you?”

“Draven,” he said slowly. “You don’t know me… but I know you.”

My heartbeat accelerated.

“I’m here to tell you something. Kael isn’t your enemy. But the people who want him destroyed… might come for you next.”

I swallowed. “Why? Why me?”

“Because you’re not just his wife.”

He leaned closer.

“You’re the key to everything he’s trying to protect.”