Chapter 3: BEHIND THE CLOSE DOORS

Parang malabong tubig na lang ang tingin ni Bella sa liwanag ng ballroom habang patuloy na lumalalim ang gabi. Tawanan, sigawan, kasiyahan, musika, ang pagtama ng mga wine glasses—lahat iyon ay sumasalpok sa kanya na parang rumaragasang alon na hindi na niya kayang pigilan. Ngumingiti siya kapag kailangan, tumatango at sumasagot kapag kinakausap, pero ang utak niya ay lumilipad kung saan-saan.

Wala siyang nararamdaman kundi ang init ng mga kamay ni Leon at ang bigat ng pag-alalay nito sa likod niya. Hindi niya tinanggal o nilipat ang hawak. Para sa mga bisita, sweet and affectionate. Pero para kay Bella, parang kadena iyon—isang hawak na ayaw siyang pakawalan.

Nang matapos na ang huling toast at final dance, unti-unti nang kumonti ang mga tao. Isa-isa silang nagsialisan, bitbit ang kani-kanilang regalo at sobre ng pera isa-isa silang nagpaalam bilang congratulations. Exhausting. Umasa si Bella na isa sa libong paalam na iyon ay para rin sa kanya—na sana makaalis na siya.

But soon, there were no more guests. Only silence. Only silence and the coldness between them.

Leon rose smoothly from his chair, buttoning his jacket. “Come.”

Parang tumambol ang puso ni Bella. “Where?”

He looked at her, expression unreadable, though his eyes gleamed with something that made her skin prickle. “Home.”

The word tasted like finality.

Tahimik ang biyahe pauwi sa Veyra Penthouse, pero hindi payapa. Nakapikit si Bella dahil ramdam na niya ang pagod at antok, pero paminsan-minsan ay tumitingin sa kumikislap na Manila skyline sa labas ng tinted window. Hindi nagsasalita si Leon. He didn’t need to. His presence filled the space, heavy and suffocating.

Pagdating sa private entrance ng Veyra Residences, muling kumabog ang puso niya. Nagbow ang mga guards nang bumukas ang pintuan ng sasakyan. Marmol at ginto ang bumungad sa lobby—everything screamed wealth and power. His world, not hers.

Nauna si Leon maglakad. Para siyang bodyguard ni Bella—hindi asawa. Ang sweetness na ipinakita niya kanina ay para lang sa audience. Now, there was no audience. Just the two of them, still in their wedding attires.

Ang pag-akyat ng elevator ay parang walang katapusan. Habang pataas sila nang pataas, lalong naninikip ang dibdib ni Bella. Nang bumukas ang pintuan, pumasok siya sa penthouse na ngayon lang nasilayan ng kanyang mga mata—floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek furnishings, and katahimikan na nanunuot sa mga buto.

Pero ang nasa isip ni Bella: This is not a home. This is a fortress.

Leon loosened his tie, his movements deliberate, precise. He poured himself a drink, amber liquid swirling into crystal. He didn’t offer her one.

Bella hovered near the entrance, clutching the folds of her gown, wishing she could vanish into them.

Finally, he spoke. “Take off the veil.”

“I…” nauutal niyang turan.

His eyes cut to her, sharp and impatient. “Just do it.”

Hands trembling, Bella lifted the veil from her face. The air felt cooler, but not relieving. Only exposing. Parang hubad siya kahit nakadamit pa.

Ang mga titig ni Leon ay parang kalkulasyon. Hindi ito titig ng lalaking sabik sa kanyang asawa, kundi ng isang lalaking tumatanggap ng bagay na hindi naman hiningi pero hindi rin tinanggihan.

“You’re really not her,” he said flatly, bago siya uminom ng alak.

The words stabbed deeper than any whisper of suspicion. Bella felt defeated, humiliated.

“I—I didn’t want this. I never wanted—”

“But you said ‘I do,’” he interrupted, swirling his drink casually. His voice was silk over steel. “You stood at the altar. You kissed me in front of hundreds. You wear my ring. You accepted being my wife.”

“I had no choice!” sigaw ni Bella, hindi na mapigilan ang sakit at hapdi. “My family—my mother—”

Leon set his glass down. In two strides, he was in front of her. His presence suffocated.

“No choice?” he murmured, tilting her chin up with one finger. His touch was light, but caging. “You had every chance to run. You didn’t.”

Her lips parted, but no sound came. She felt out of words.

“So tell me, Isabella Alcaraz…” He leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear. “Why did you stay?”

Her heart pounded painfully. Words crawled in her throat—I was trapped. Marisella left me no way out. But nothing came out. Wala ni isa.

Leon pulled back slightly, lips curling cold. “Silence. Interesting. You are interesting.”

He tossed his jacket on the couch, his tone final. “You will stay here now. This penthouse is your home. My home. Our home.”

Bella’s eyes widened. “No—I can’t—”

“You can.” Quiet, but absolute. “And you will.”

Tears stung her eyes, but she held them back. Hindi niya ipapakita kay Leon na mahina siya. She was here for her family.

Leon stood at the window, staring at the city. “Your sister thought she could humiliate me. Thought she could run.” His reflection was cold, inhuman. “I’ll find her.”

Napaiktad si Bella. Mas nakakatakot siya ngayon.

“And until then…” He turned, gaze locking onto hers. “You’ll take her place. In every way that matters.”

Her knees weakened, fear replacing every ounce of defiance.

Leon moved slower this time, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch was gentle, but his words shattered her.

“You belong to me now, Isabella. My wife.”

Those words made her stomach turn. Her heart thrashed violently. This wasn’t just a marriage. This was a contract. Captivity. An endless suffering.