Despite what transpired last night, I continued to care for Ivan. I provided him with a meal and assisted him with dressing. The doctor has given the green signal for him to go home, so we're just waiting for his bills to be settled.
I was seated on the sofa, Ivan occupied the edge of the bed while his sibling stood near the door, seemingly trying to gauge our emotions. I couldn't help but notice the tension in Ivan, yet I refrained from making eye contact with him throughout."Let's go," my mother-in-law declared, clutching the receipt and a few prescriptions for Ivan's take-home medications. A nurse with a wheelchair awaited behind her."You should head home and rest there."I remained silent, anticipating Ivan's complaint, but all he offered in response was a deep sigh.With help, he was settled into the wheelchair and went out the door ahead, propelled by his sibling. My mother-in-law gave me an assuring smile. She embraced me and guided me outside while I remained silent.I often observe Ivan's parents sharing frequent glances with each other."Why don't you two stay in the guestroom? Ivan needs some morning sunlight, and it would be inconvenient for him if the two of you slept in the upstairs room," his mom suggested. Ivan and I remained silent. His thoughts appeared deep, and he hadn't spoken a word since earlier.Perhaps it's better this way, rather than saying something that might only upset those around him. I followed him into the guest room. A male nurse assisted him with lying down on the bed. His parents had arranged for a personal nurse to help him, so I wouldn't have a difficult time taking care of him.At this point, I'm uncertain whether I should wait for him to recover as originally planned or simply leave. After all, I have somewhere else to go, thanks to Rachelle. I sat on the sofa and closed my eyes to gather my thoughts, even though my mind was in turmoil.Taking a deep breath, I noticed that Ivan was already focused on me as I opened my eyes.Our gazes locked, and I met his intense stare."Allow me to be your wife for a month, Ivan."His lips quivered, but he remained silent, his brow furrowed."What do you mean?" he inquired.I simply smiled. "Let me be your wife. And if you still can't love me within a month, I'll leave, and you won't see me again."His frown deepened, and his jaw displayed a subtle twitch. I, too, was perplexed by the way he responded.Maintaining a smile, I said, "You'll be free after one month to marry the woman you love," and then rose from my seat. "Just dial the phone if you need anything."I briefly left the guestroom and walked to the garden to breathe fresh air. My mother-in-law's flowers were in full bloom, and I found pleasure in observing them.I allowed my gaze to wander over the entire surroundings, reaching all the way to the Fabregas mansion. I will miss this house and the family that had become my second family.***"What would you like to eat?" I asked Ivan when he woke up in the afternoon.I positioned a glass of water on the small table next to the bed, alongside his medication, because he was about to take it. However, his stomach needed something in it first."What if, after one month..." he began.We exchanged glances. "I'll leave," I replied. "If you still can't love me, I'll go. It's enough for me to be your wife for a month. Let me play my role as your wife, and you, be a husband to me, even if it's for a short time." As I conveyed this, it felt as though my heart was being twisted."Okay," he responded briefly."Thank you," I smiled, dispelling the negative thoughts that had been haunting my mind. I wished to fill our remaining time with happy memories. I didn't want to create another drama. I didn't want his pity, nor did I wish for him to become irritated by my tears.Being dramatic is exhausting, and crying is tiring."Do you want some soup? The cook made it.""Okay. I'd like some chop suey later tonight." I smiled. Chop suey was the first dish I prepared when I arrived at the Fabregas' house. My in-laws said I was good at making that dish."I'll fetch your food from the kitchen.""Just have the maids do it," he insisted. "Come watch the basketball game with me."I'm not really into basketball, but because I was watching it with him, I knew I'd enjoy it.As we watched, I took care of his meal, almost as if he were a child in need of my help with his food.I didn't find it bothersome in the least; in fact, I was delighted that he allowed me to look after him this way. It created a sense of genuine togetherness between us."Why aren't you eating?" he asked. I only asked for one bowl from the maid, as he was the only one eating."I'll eat in the kitchen later," I replied, taking another spoonful and gently offering it to him.He took the spoon from my hand, filled it with soup, and then fed me. I was taken by surprise by this gesture, so I didn't react immediately."Say 'ah,'" he encouraged. I bit my lower lip before parting my lips. He smiled and fed me once more."What's gotten into you?" he playfully complained. "I'm already feeding you, and you're still making a mess."He gently wiped the edges of my lips. When he noticed my flushed cheeks, a smile broke across his face.He continued to spoon-feed me until the bowl was empty. Afterward, I gave him his medicine.After the show he was watching ended, he mentioned that he wanted to take a short nap.I briefly left to tidy up our dining utensils, wearing a smile. I couldn't help but be astonished by his earlier actions. His behavior toward me was truly surprising.As I placed the tray in the sink, I held my chest as I felt my heart pounding, then took a deep breath. Perhaps I had asked for more than I could handle in my request. It might make it even harder for me to leave when the time comes."Is it delicious?" I inquired of Ivan, even though it was evident from his reaction that he was enjoying the meal I had prepared. He responded with a smile and a nod, taking another bite and grinning once more. His eagerness to eat was unmistakable, bringing a sweet smile to my lips."Why aren't you eating?" he asked."You go ahead and eat first because I'm not hungry yet," I replied. It was only six in the afternoon, and he needed to take his medication, so I helped him with his meal."Are you on a diet?" This man had many questions."Not particularly," I responded."You're quite slender.""What do you mean, slender? I'm sexy, you know," I retorted with a pout, suppressing a sigh. I was tempted to mention Maureen's slim figure, but I decided against it as I didn't want to bring up his mistress's name.He pouted. "Am I not sexy?" I raised an eyebrow. He simply smiled. Ah, whatever! "One last thing," I told him. The 'baby bull' had completed the meal I had cooked and prepared for h
While waiting for Ivan to finish his shower, I prepared his clothes for him. I also freshened up the bed sheets and pillowcases. They weren't soiled, but Ivan is very particular about his belongings, even before his amnesia sets in. He insists on having his towels and bedding laundered daily, and he's even more particular about these matters than the average woman. I was the one changing them, but the laundrywoman took care of washing them. As the bathroom door swung open, I couldn't help but steal a quick glance in his direction. However, the sight of him clad only in a towel prompted me to discreetly avert my eyes. I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't make use of the bathrobe hanging in the bathroom.I discreetly cleared my throat, feeling a dryness in my throat, and then slowly approached him, keeping my gaze fixed firmly on the floor. I guided him towards the couch, where I had thoughtfully laid out his clothes. While he should have been capable of dressing himself, his dis
I refrained from returning to our room for the time being. Instead, I spent some time in the garden and came back once I was certain that Ivan was asleep. With each passing day, the burden I carry grows heavier and heavier. Honestly, I'm causing harm to myself with my actions. Rachelle was right; I truly became a self-sacrificing individual in matters of love. However, all of this is temporary. Soon, I'll be leaving this house. I'll be leaving Ivan. And eventually, everything will become a part of the past, memories to look back on and laugh about. For now, Ivan needs me, so I'll stay to take care of him. I'm still his wife until I leave, and he said he's going to file for an annulment. My gaze ascended, fixing upon the star-studded heavens above, where the moon shone resplendently, its silvery roundness casting a luminous glow."How are you up there in heaven, Mom and Dad?" I reminisced about the time when my grandfather departed from this world during my tender years. My mothe
I woke up later than usual, finding that Ivan had already left our bed. It had been nearly dawn when I drifted off to sleep, and I hadn't noticed him getting up.After a refreshing shower, I left our room with a smile gracing my lips, but it quickly faded upon seeing the scene before me. Maureen was here! She and Ivan were sitting together on the couch. It was already past nine, so my in-laws had left, and Ivan's siblings had also gone to work. I watched the two of them for a moment; Ivan was smiling, and Maureen was talking non-stop. Whenever they laughed, Maureen would hug him, and Ivan would put his arm around her. Once again, I was seized by a sudden, profound ache in my chest. I had hoped to become emotionally numb, yet it appeared impossible. The pain was still very real. Uncertainty gripped me, unsure whether to make my way to the kitchen and feign ignorance or retreat to the room and wait for Maureen to leave. Why does this woman persist in constricting my world? It's not
Seeing Maureen, I walked directly, without glancing back, leaving the house in annoyance since I was supposed to have breakfast in the garden. Upon spotting a taxi, I quickly hailed it, clutching my phone containing my ATM card, and directed the taxi driver to make a brief detour to the nearest ATM for cash. I headed to the church, fervently praying and wrestling with the tears I had bottled up. Eventually, I let my emotions flow, relieved that only a handful of people were entering the church, sparing me the discomfort of shedding tears before the Lord. By noon, I resolved to leave the church, lighting a candle on the side to pray for my parents before my departure.Afterward, I made my way to the mall, where I enjoyed a meal and watched a movie. As the clock approached five in the afternoon, I decided to head back home, assuming that Maureen had likely left the house.On the way back, I pondered whether I should stay or break the commitment I had made to remain for a month,
I remained in the living room while the doctor examined Ivan. Inside, his parents were with him, while his siblings stood by the door. It had been twenty minutes since the doctor entered the room, and I hoped Ivan's condition would improve. Perhaps he was shocked, which caused his headache. I stood up as the doctor emerged with my in-laws. "Take him to the hospital for a thorough check-up tomorrow," the doctor advised Ivan's parents. Dr. Cheng nodded at me before leaving the house. "Mom, how is Ivan?" I inquired. My mother-in-law smiled. "He's doing better now and is looking for you. Go inside your room." "H-Hasn't his memory returned yet?" Mom shook her head. "He just had a headache. I told him not to pressure himself to remember. Myla..." She held my hands and said, "I know you're going through a tough time, but..." Her eyes pleaded as she looked at me. "Can you stay a little while longer? Please, dear, just until he recovers as you promised before." I looked away and could
"Your dad and I are headed to Vietnam this Friday for a conference," my mother-in-law muttered as we enjoyed a snack. "And I was thinking that you two should join us... What do you think?" That would be the next day. I turned to look at Ivan, who responded with a nonchalant shrug. When he noticed my gaze, he raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Do you want to go?" I asked. "How about you?" But this plan would be his decision because there are lingering wounds on his body that had yet to heal. "If you want to go, then let's do it." "But won't it be tough for you?" I expressed my concern. "I'll be fine. A little getaway won't hurt me," Ivan reassured me. "Thank you, love," I hugged him tightly, and he patted my back affectionately. After our snack, I began packing our clothes for the trip, but I found it difficult to concentrate because Ivan was playfully teasing me. He kept hugging me and stealing kisses, filling my heart with overwhelming love. Never did I anticipate that Ivan
We were all taken aback by Maureen's unexpected arrival. She even appeared surprised as she took in the sight of our suitcases in the living room. "What are you doing here?" my mother-in-law asked her sternly. Maureen was on the verge of responding when Mom interjected, "Didn't I tell you to stay away from my son?" Maureen hesitated for a moment, but then summoned the courage to reply, "I'm the one your son loves. Besides, they're going to break up." I clenched my fists and struggled to maintain composure as her gaze fixed on me. She offered a sympathetic smile, not out of kindness but as a silent acknowledgment of my role as a wife, even though I wasn't the one my husband loved. With a sigh, I averted my gaze, determined not to let this ruin my day. I didn't want to stoop to her level. As I heard Ivan's footsteps descending the stairs, I glanced up at him, but he froze in his tracks upon seeing Maureen. "You're leaving? Where are you going?" Maureen questioned my husba