Chapter 2

Ilang minuto pa akong nanatili sa ospital, hinihintay na magising si Lolo Hugo na hindi naman nangyari, bago ako umalis. Ayoko pa sanang umalis pero kanina pa tawag nang tawag si Hudson na para bang ito na lang ang huling araw ni Naomi at hindi na siya makapaghintay na hiwalayan ako.

While I was on my way, a text message popped up from an unknown number.

Unknown number: Back in the city. I’ll see you soon, Liv.

Unang pumasok sa isip ko agad si Naomi ngunit imposible rin dahil ang sabi ni Hudson ay nakaconfine na ito sa ospital. Kung sino man ang nagtext na ito ay sigurado akong kilala niya ako dahil iilan lang naman ang tumatawag sa akin sa pangalan kong ito. Liv.

Halos isang oras ang lumipas bago ako makarating sa munisipyo. He was already there when I arrived, leaning against his car with that same detached look on his face.

“You’re late,” he said flatly, glancing at his watch. “You made me miss visiting Naomi.”

Marahas akong bumuntong-hininga at tamad na binalingan siya ng tingin.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Muntik ko na kasing makalimutan na hinihintay ka pala ng fiancee mong malapit nang mamatay.”

His jaw tensed. “Don’t say it like that, Liv. You know she’s sick.”

“Alam ko,” I replied coolly. “And apparently, so is your timing.” I stepped past him toward the courthouse door. “You couldn’t even wait until after the annulment before reminding me who you really care about?”

Hudson frowned. “You’re being unreasonable.”

I turned to face him, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “No, Hudson. I’m just reacting to how a hurting wife reacts. Sinong matutuwa sa biglaan mong desisyon na to? Maybe if I was still the old Olivia, I’d even throw a party for you two.”

The sharpness in my tone silenced him, and for once, he didn’t have a comeback.

Inside, we sat across from each other, the table between us feeling like a chasm.

“Is this really your final decision, Hudson?” I asked quietly.

“Yes,” he replied without hesitation, his tone sharp and impatient. “And don’t tell my grandparents about this. I’ll deal with them when the time comes.”

Dahan-dahan akong tumango, ramdam ko ang pagbigat ng dibdib ko kahit pinaghandaan ko na to. Our marriage, something I thought was the culmination of years of love, had only ever been for his grandfather’s sake. For him, it was nothing more than an arrangement, a favor, a convenience. Something he could undo whenever he pleased.

Nang iabot sa akin ng clerk ang ballpen ay hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip pa. I signed the papers without a word, without a fight, and without looking back.

Hudson followed suit, scribbling his name carelessly before sliding the papers back to the clerk. Saglit na nabalot ng katahimikan ang pagitan naming dalawa bago siya tumingin sa akin.

“This is only temporary,” he said calmly, as if he were talking about a business deal. “Just six months. After that, we can remarry. Aayusin ko ang lahat sa oras na mawala na—”

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong matawa. Nag echo pa ang halakhak kong iyon sa courtroom. Ni hindi ko na naisip na baka may ibang nakakarinig sa amin.

“Remarry?” I repeated, shaking my head. “Hudson, please. Save it.”

His brows furrowed, confusion flashing in his eyes. “Liv, I’m serious. I just need to do this for her—”

“No,” I cut him off, my voice low but steady. “You’ve already done enough for her. At nagawa ko na rin ang lahat para sa marriage na to, para protektahan ka sa mata ng lolo’t lola mo—God, even when it was killing me inside.”

Pansin ko ang pagbabago ng ekspresyon niya, na para bang hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko.

“But now that we’re officially annulled," I continued, “I’m finally free to focus on myself. And trust me, Hudson, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m done worrying about an asshole like you.”

His mouth fell open slightly, like he couldn’t quite believe what I’d said. “You don’t mean that,” he said, trying to sound composed. “Galit ka lang ngayon. You’re just emotional.”

“Hindi ako galit,” I said quietly. “I’m just… done.” I met his eyes, letting him see what was left of me—tired, hollow, but certain. “Go live your life with Naomi. Pasayahin mo siya sa huling mga araw niya, pero huwag kang umasa na hihintayin pa kita.”

He stared at me, speechless, as I grabbed my purse and turned to leave. For the first time in eight years, I walked away from Hudson without looking back.

Afterward, I drove straight to the hospital. My best friend, Dr. Victoria Llanez, met me at the entrance with a concerned smile.

“Liv,” she said softly, “you look exhausted. Did it happen?”

Walang gana akong tumango, “Tapos na…” bulong ko.

Her eyes softened. “Are you sure about this?”

“Hindi… hindi ko na siya kayang mahalin, Vic,” I said simply, though my heart throbbed at the lie.

Sabay kaming naglakad patungo sa opisina niya kung saan libre na akong tanggalin ang maskara ko. I sank into the chair, pressing my palms over my face.

“I loved him for almost eight years, Vic,” I murmured, voice trembling. “Kahit alam kong si Naomi lang ang totoong mahal niya. Akala ko… Akala ko kapag nag stay ako sa kanya, kapag ginawa ko ang lahat para sa kanya, makikita na niya ako.”

Victoria sat beside me, listening in silence. She reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “You don’t deserve this, Liv. Ginawa mo na yung part mo. Huwag mong panghinayangan yung gagong yon.”

I nodded, staring blankly at the tiled floor. “I think I’ll go to France for a while. Start fresh. May ipon naman ako at… baka bumalik ako sa pagtugtog.”

Victoria smiled faintly. “France sounds perfect. Maybe this time, you’ll finally live for yourself.”

For the first time that day, I managed a small smile. Weak, but real.

I looked at her, my voice barely holding steady. “I can’t keep it, Vic. This baby will only remind me of him… of everything I tried to fix and failed.”

She stepped closer, her voice gentle but firm. “You don’t have to decide right now. We can—”

“No,” I cut her off. “I’ve decided.”

Pansin ko ang pagdadalawang isip ni Victoria, na para bang gusto niya akong pigilan sa gagawin ko pero inilingan ko lang siya. After a long pause, she sighed.

“Alright. I’ll prepare the room.”

As she walked out, I sat there on the cold examination table, my fingers clutching the edge of my dress. Rinig na rinig ko ang malakas na kalabog ng puso ko kasabay ng pag echo ng boses ni Hudson sa isip ko. His promises, his lies, his goodbye.

Tears blurred my vision as the door slowly opened again.

“Liv,” Victoria said softly from the doorway, “it’s ready.”

I took a deep breath, staring at the sterile white walls around me.

And then, I stood.