Who was she even fighting for?
For a husband who loved another woman? For a marriage that was never hers to begin with? For a love that was never meant for her? A bitter, humorless laugh escaped her lips. What was the point of all her struggles, all her sacrifices, if in the end, she was the only one holding on? She had spent years trying to fix something that was doomed from the start. Why had she been so foolish? Why had she agreed to this marriage, knowing Lucas didn’t love her? Not only had she destroyed Lucas' happiness, but she had also ruined her own. Her hands curled into the sheets, gripping them tightly. Should she just give up? Should she finally end this marriage and give Lucas the freedom he had always wanted? Maybe then, he would finally forgive her. Maybe then, she wouldn’t have to keep living like this—chasing after someone who would never look back at her. Wouldn't that be the right thing to do? If she truly loved Lucas, shouldn’t she set him free? The thought sent a sharp pang through her chest. She imagined herself walking away. Letting him go. Watching him be with the woman he truly loved. And it hurt. It hurt so much she could barely breathe. She squeezed her eyes shut as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. No. No matter how much she tried to convince herself that letting go was the right thing to do, her heart refused to listen. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t let him go. A hollow laugh escaped her lips as she wiped her tears, even though they wouldn’t stop falling. She must be insane. What kind of woman holds onto a man who will never love her back? Why couldn’t she bring herself to let him go? She knew it was wrong. She knew she was being selfish. But she couldn’t help it. She couldn't imagine a life without Lucas. She loved him too much. “Dear God…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Please… even just this once… let me have him.” The guilt gnawed at her, but she couldn't change how she felt. She pitied Riah. She truly did. But she couldn’t give Lucas back. She wouldn’t. Even if it made her the villain in this story. Even if it made her a selfish, desperate woman. She was still his wife. They were still legally married. And as long as she held that title, she still had a chance. She had to believe that. She had to try. A shaky breath left her lips as she wiped away her tears, her resolve hardening. She would fix this marriage. She had to. She knew this wasn’t healthy. She knew she was only setting herself up for more pain. But it didn’t matter. Because she loved him. She loved him more than she loved herself. And no matter how much it hurt… she wasn’t ready to let go. Not yet. Not now. Lara took a deep breath, wiping away the last traces of her tears. She forced herself to get up and went straight to the bathroom, letting the warm water wash away her exhaustion. She didn’t bother putting on full makeup, only dabbing on extra concealer under her eyes to hide the puffiness from crying. The last thing she wanted was for Lucas to see her looking so weak, so broken. Once she was satisfied with how she looked—presentable but not overly done—she stepped out of her room and headed straight to the kitchen. Cooking had always been a small way for her to show her love for Lucas, even if he rarely appreciated it. Today was no different. She prepared a simple breakfast—black coffee and hangover soup. She doubted he would refuse, knowing he had gotten himself drunk last night. Whether he liked it or not, he needed something in his system before heading to work. He didn’t have time to be picky. Just as she finished setting the table, she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Lucas enter the kitchen, looking as composed as ever.The Unwanted Wife has finally come to an end! ✧ To be honest, this wasn’t how I originally planned to finish the story. But somewhere along the way, my heart changed, and so did the ending. I know some of you may be surprised that the epilogue was written from Lucas’ point of view, but I chose to write it not to justify his actions, but simply to tell his side of the story. I genuinely felt like he deserved that. And truthfully, I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night unless I shared his backstory, and that’s how the epilogue came to life. Though, I didn’t expect it to grow so long, it could practically be its own story at this point. But, I guess it turned out that way because it wasn’t just Lucas’ backstory, it was also a reflection of the entire journey, seen through his eyes. I tried my best to give his character the depth and meaning it needed. I hope I was able to convey that well. But in the end, it’s up to you, my dear angels, to decide. To all of you who’ve made it t
The annulment proceedings moved quickly on paper, but for Lucas, each step felt agonizingly slow. Like watching a slow bleed you couldn’t stop.He had only appeared in court twice, each time merely to affirm his consent and confirm the obvious, that he was letting go of the only woman he’d ever truly loved.Everything moved in motion. The world didn’t stop. Life didn’t pause for his heartbreak.In the aftermath, he buried himself in work. The Guzmans had pulled out of all joint ventures. Their companies severed ties almost overnight, and damage control consumed his days. But even then, even amid the corporate fires, business realignment, and endless meetings, his thoughts would wander—always back to her.Lara.He thought of her often. More than he cared to admit. Some nights, she came to him in dreams, always just out of reach, always walking away. And each time he woke up alone in his cold, quiet bed, the ache sharpened.He missed her. Fiercely. Completely. And he knew with aching ce
The lawyers waited in silence, eyes on Lucas, as the question hung in the air. Would he contest the petition?Lucas stared down at the file in front of him, his fingers curled lightly into fists.There was nothing to contest.How could he argue against her truth? How could he say it wasn’t real when it was all she ever lived through?He lifted his eyes to Lara and saw her watching him, not with anger or resentment, just calm, steady eyes. Still, he could see it in her guarded expression. She was bracing herself. Maybe expecting him to deny it all, to twist the truth one last time.But there was nothing to deny.Only the truth.And so, he gave it to her.He shook his head.No.He wouldn’t fight her on this. He couldn’t.It was the least he could do. After all this time, after the silent pain he had inflicted on a woman who had done nothing but try. What right did he have to make her fight for freedom?He didn’t look at the lawyers when they warned him of the implications. How the court
A few days later, Lucas arranged a meeting with Lara and her lawyer to finalize the settlement agreement and discuss the annulment petition. He arrived at the law firm of Atty. Francesca Mendez, Lara’s lawyer, twenty minutes ahead of schedule, accompanied by his own counsel, Atty. Rocco Velasquez.Atty. Mendez greeted them and led them to the conference room. Lucas muttered a distracted thank you, barely aware of the space around him.His thoughts were elsewhere. On Lara. On how this meeting would unfold. On what it would feel like to face the woman he still loved, knowing he was about to let her go for good.He took the seat at the far end of the long, polished conference table. The cold gleam of the mahogany surface stared back at him, smooth and immaculate, everything he wasn’t. He sat up straight, folded his hands, and tried to settle the thrum in his chest that had been steadily building for days.He hadn’t seen her in days.Each one stretched longer than the last. He barely slep
The moment the gate closed behind her, the umbrella slipped from his hand and fell to the wet pavement with a soft thud.Lucas’ body trembled as he collapsed to his knees, the rain drenching him as violently as the grief inside. He couldn’t breathe past the sobs tearing out of his throat. His cries echoed through the quiet street, lost in the downpour.He had to accept it now.It was really over.Lara was gone for good.And he had no one to blame but himself.He stayed like that, knees on the ground, as the rain poured over him. He didn’t care who saw. He didn’t care about anything. He cried until his vision blurred, until the rain and tears became one, until time ceased to matter.Headlights eventually appeared at the edge of the driveway. He didn’t even lift his head when the car stopped.“Lucas,” a familiar voice called gently.His father.Lucas felt his presence kneel beside him. For a moment, they just stayed there, the sound of rain between them. He didn’t ask questions. Didn’t
After that day, Lucas tried to stay away.He truly did.He told himself that giving her space was the right thing to do. That he’d respect her peace, even if it destroyed him inside. That maybe, somehow, his absence could speak the apology his lips never learned to form on time. But every passing day without Lara felt like slow death. Sleep evaded him. Food lost its taste. The silence that followed was unbearable. Every hour without her voice was a punishment. Every empty night was another sentence in the hell he built with his own hands. Every quiet second was a reminder of the life he could have had… if only he had loved her sooner. If only he hadn’t been such a coward.He tried pouring himself into work, letting endless meetings and pointless reports drown out her memory. But even the weight of the world couldn’t distract him from the heavier burden of regret pressing against his chest.So, he turned to alcohol again—not to feel numb, but to sleep. To stop himself from imagining he