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Chapter 3: Unexpected Visitor
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-23 08:21:21The school day had ended, and most of the children had already gone home. Lara sat in the waiting area, keeping an eye on the last few students still waiting for their guardians when a familiar voice called out to her.
“Lara!” She turned just in time to see Ali striding toward her, her designer handbag swinging at her side. “Are you done with class? I’m dying for milk tea,” Ali announced dramatically, flipping her hair as if the mere thought of waiting any longer was unbearable. Lara chuckled, shaking her head at her best friend’s antics. Ali had been a handful, to say the least, ever since college, but over the years, Lara had learned to handle her quirks with patience. She was high-maintenance, outspoken, occasionally dramatic, and a little too confident for her own good, but beneath all that, she was sweet and fiercely loyal. Life was never boring with her around. Lara turned to her assistant. “Maera, can you stay with the kids while they wait for their parents?” Maera nodded, and Lara turned back to Ali, pulling her to the side. “I thought you were busy? Don’t you have a shoot today?” Lara asked, raising a brow. Ali groaned, tossing her designer bag onto a nearby chair. “It got canceled—thank God! As much as I love modeling, it can be really exhausting. Remind me again why I chose this career, Lara? I swear, I’m this close to going AWOL.” Lara laughed. “It’s not too late to switch jobs. Your parents would love it if you joined the family business.” Ali’s expression turned horrified. “Ew. No way. Just looking at paperwork gives me a migraine.” “You're so dramatic,” Lara teased, shaking her head. Ali flipped her hair. “I was born for the runway, not a desk job.” Then, she huffed. “Anyway, how much longer do I have to wait? I need my milk tea fix.” “Just a little while. A few kids are still waiting for their guardians,” Lara explained, glancing toward the remaining students. Ali sighed. “Fine, I guess I can wait.” She crossed her arms, then suddenly gave Lara a once-over. “You know, Lara, you could totally be a model. With that face and figure? Why settle for being a kindergarten teacher?” Lara rolled her eyes. “Hey, don’t say that. I love my job, okay? I enjoy teaching. Besides, modeling isn’t for me. It suits you better.” Ali sighed in mock disappointment. “Fair enough. Not everyone is born for the runway like me.” She dramatically flipped her hair. “I mean, I was probably born just to add beauty to this world.” Lara laughed at her arrogance. “Oh, of course. How lucky we all are.” She grinned. “Well, you should. The world needs someone as stunning as me.” Lara chuckled. “Oh, please.” “You know I’m right.” Lara shook her head, amused. But the lighthearted moment was short-lived when Ali’s expression shifted, turning more serious. “Anyway... how’s your husband? How’s everything with Lucas?” Lara stiffened slightly. Ali knew about her marriage, but only bits and pieces. She had never told her the full story—never admitted just how bad things really were. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her; she just didn’t want to be a burden. Ali studied her silence and frowned. “Oh? Why so quiet? Don’t tell me he’s still treating you like crap?” She groaned in frustration. “Lara, I swear, your husband is trash! Just divorce him already!” Lara quickly shushed her. “Ali, stop it. You know there’s no divorce in the Philippines.” Ali rolled her eyes. “Fine. Annulment, then. Whatever. The point is, leave him. He doesn’t deserve you.”
Pinakabagong kabanata
The Unwanted Wife Author's Note & Book 2 Announcement
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 Unwanted Wife Epilogue (Finale)
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 Unwanted Wife Epilogue (Part 24)
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
The Unwanted Wife Epilogue (Part 23)
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 Unwanted Wife Epilogue (Part 22)
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
The Unwanted Wife Epilogue (Part 21)
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
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