When they finished their food, Lara pulled him along to the next stalls, pointing at skewers. “Okay, what do we have here? Hmm.. we got isaw, betamax, pig’s ears, adidas—” Reagan stopped short. “Wait. ‘Adidas’?” “Chicken feet,” she replied like it was no big deal. His brows furrowed. “Why is it called that?” She shrugged. “Because it looks like a tiny shoe? I don’t know. We should just eat.” She picked up a stick of betamax, dipped it in barbecue sauce and handed it to him. “Here, try this first.” Reagan eyed it warily. “What is it?” She grinned. “Coagulated pork blood.” He blinked at her. “That’s… very specific. Is it safe?” “Of course it is. I've been eating this for years and look—I’m still alive. C’mon, try it. You won’t regret it, promise.” He gave her a long, suffering look but eventually took a cautious bite. Lara watched his face closely, lips twitching. “I don’t like it,” he said flatly. She burst out laughing. Reagan narrowed his eyes. “You’re enjoying this.”
It was a call. From Lucas. The name alone made her stomach twist. Why was he calling her now? At this hour? Her instinct was to silence the phone and shove it back in her pocket, but she was frozen. Reagan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the shift in her expression. “Everything okay?” She looked up and forced a small smile, shaking her head. “It’s nothing.” The phone stopped ringing… only to start again a few seconds later. Lara exhaled sharply, the burrito now forgotten in her hand. She glanced at Reagan, apologetically. “I’ll just take this. Give me a sec,” Lara walked a few steps away, toward a less crowded corner of the street. She hesitated for a beat before answering. “Lucas?” she asked, already on edge. “Why are you calling?” But it wasn’t his voice that greeted her. [“Hi, um… sorry. I’m not Lucas,”] a woman said on the other end. Lara blinked, confusion knitting her brows. “Then who are you? Why do you have his phone?” The woman hesitated, then replied vagu
It took nearly half an hour before they reached the bar. Reagan parked by the curb, casting a glance at Lara before they stepped out of the car. The place was packed and loud—music pounding from the speakers, laughter spilling over the chatter, the scent of alcohol and smoke heavy in the air. Reagan instinctively moved closer, his hand gently resting on her shoulder, shielding her from the jostling crowd. Lara was grateful for the small gesture. Her nerves were already frayed, and his quiet steadiness was the one thing keeping her grounded. When they reached the counter, Lara spotted them immediately. Izek sat sideways on a barstool, looking like he wanted to be anywhere else. And beside him—slumped pathetically over the counter—was Lucas. But what made Lara stop cold in her tracks wasn’t either of them—it was the woman standing in front of them. Riah. Her chest tightened, a sick feeling rising in her stomach. What the hell is this? Why was she here? Did Lucas call h
When Lara stepped into her condo, the silence wrapped around her like a blanket—familiar, quiet, and oddly comforting.She kicked off her shoes by the door, the echo of their fall the only sound in the stillness. The weight of the night lingered on her shoulders like a heavy residue.After everything that happened at the bar—after seeing Lucas act like that, hearing him say things he probably wouldn’t even remember tomorrow—it only solidified her decision.She was done letting his confusion derail her healing.No more doubts. No more delays.Without wasting a moment, she headed to the study room.She slid into the chair and opened her laptop, the familiar whir of it powering on grounding her slightly.Earlier that morning, Atty. Mendez had texted her that she had sent over the checklist and questions needed for the annulment. Lara hadn’t opened it then—part of her still wasn’t sure if she was ready.But tonight changed that.She clicked into her Gmail and found the email sitting at th
The next day, the sun had barely started its descent when Lara stepped out of the building, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder. The soft breeze tousled her hair as she walked across the school grounds, heading toward the parking lot where her car was parked.Her mind was still in a daze from the long day of lectures. She was planning to head straight home and maybe decompress with some chamomile tea and a quiet playlist—until she caught sight of a familiar black SUV parked a few meters away. Leaning casually against the hood was Duke—arms crossed, one ankle lazily over the other, as if he had all the time in the world. And inside the car, popping gum and scrolling on her phone like she owned the world, was Ali.Lara blinked, startled. “What the—?”Duke spotted her instantly and raised a hand with an easy grin. “Hey, stranger!”Lara approached them, still caught between confusion and amusement. “You guys, what are you doing here?”Before Duke could answer, Ali’s head popp
Ali, of course, wasn’t done. She leaned forward, voice full of mischief. “What if he’s into you, though? Maybe he’s being nice because he likes you. You know? Like those K-drama storylines? Stoic guy falls for the girl who’s been through hell? It’s totally plausible!” She cross her arms, still grinning. “I mean, like, c’mon, you’re a total catch, Lara. Aside from the trash you married, you’re perfect. Any guy would be lucky to have you. Lucas is the only person blind enough not to see that.” Despite the dig at Lucas, Lara couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, Ali, you really know how to flatter a girl. But I think you need to stop watching K-dramas. Your imagination’s getting a little wild. Reagan’s just being kind. Don’t make an issue out of nothing.” Ali huffed, leaning back. “I’m just saying! It’s not impossible. Duke, back me up here.” Duke shrugged. “I dunno. Reagan’s not exactly the flirty type. Girls chase after him, not the other way around. He entertains them when he’s bored, b
When Lara got home that evening, she slipped out of her shoes, feeling the comfort of her condo wrap around her like a warm embrace. She set her bag down and walked into her bedroom, pulling her phone from her pocket to check any missed messages. A notification caught her eye—a message from Atty. Mendez, sent earlier that afternoon. Atty. Francesca Mendez: Hi Lara. I’ve finished drafting your annulment petition. Let me know when you’re free to review and sign it. We can meet anytime that works for you. Lara stared at the message for a moment. Her breath hitched, not out of panic, but quiet relief. It was real now. The end wasn’t just an idea—it was moving, breathing, taking shape. She quickly typed a reply. Lara: Thank you, attorney. I’m free after my class tomorrow, around 5 PM. Would it be alright if we meet over dinner? After hitting send, she placed her phone on the nightstand and walked into the bathroom for a quick half-bath. Warm water rushed over her skin, washing away t
The sun was dipping low outside the school gates, casting soft amber streaks on the floors of the small waiting area. Lara sat on one of the low benches, her posture relaxed, listening to Ram chatter animatedly about a new cartoon she’d seen. The little girl’s eyes sparkled with excitement, her tiny hands flailing as she described her favorite scene. “…and then Ate bought me a new pink unicorn! It lights up when you press its tummy, and it even sings, Teacher Lara!” Ram beamed. Lara smiled, brushing a strand of hair from the little girl’s forehead. “Really? That sounds magical.” Ram nodded excitedly. “I’ll bring it tomorrow!” Just then, Maera, her assistant, called out from across the room, “Ram! Your guardian’s here.” Ram perked up immediately, scrambling to her feet with an excited gasp. “Yay!” Lara leaned down to help Ram put on her backpack and fix the strap that had twisted awkwardly. “There you go, sweetie.” “Thank you, Teacher Lara!” Ram gave her a quick hug befor
The following days felt heavier than they should have.Despite telling Reagan she wouldn’t avoid him, Lara found herself doing exactly that. It wasn’t intentional at first—at least, that’s what she told herself. But each time her phone buzzed and his name appeared on the screen, her chest tightened. Sometimes she opened the messages only to stare at them blankly, unsure how to reply. Other times, she couldn’t even bring herself to look.She started adjusting her routine. Avoiding the lobby around the time she guessed he might be coming or going. Leaving her unit before sunrise to skip any possible encounter in the underground parking lot. Ordered delivery food in to avoid stepping out altogether.It felt cowardly—and childish. She knew it wasn’t fair to him. And she hated herself for it.It wasn’t that she wanted to hurt him. Far from it.But she didn’t know how to face him. Not after that night. Not after the look in his eyes… not after the way her heart had stuttered in her chest.R
Lara could hardly breathe.The world felt too quiet. Too still. As if time had stopped in that moment, and all she could hear was the echo of his voice inside her head. Her hand burned where his lips had touched, and her entire body trembled—overwhelmed, confused, and completely disarmed.She couldn’t think. Not clearly. Not with him standing so close, his striking green eyes looking at her like she was the only woman in the world. Her heart pounded erratically in her chest, and her thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind.This couldn’t be real.For so long, she had felt invisible… overlooked in her own marriage. She had gotten used to being the second choice—the unwanted wife. And now here he was—Reagan. Confessing that he liked her. Looking at her like she was something worth cherishing.She wasn’t ready for this.“I... Reagan... I don’t—” she finally managed, her voice breathless, caught somewhere between confusion and panic.But he gently cut her off. “It’s okay,” he said, his
Lara turned to him, startled. “What?” Reagan shifted to face her completely. The city lights framed his tall silhouette, casting gold highlights along his jawline and cheekbones. There was no trace of humor or teasing in his green eyes as they locked onto hers. “I mean it,” he said, voice low and even. “If you really want to make it clear to him that you’ve moved on... then show him. Let him see that he doesn’t have any place in your life anymore. And if pretending you’ve found someone new is what it takes to make him back off for good… then I can be that person, Lara.” For a moment, Lara was speechless. The suggestion hit her like a wave, knocking the breath out of her lungs. Her mouth parted, but no words came out. She stared at him, trying to decipher the meaning behind his offer. Was it pity? Was it just a favor? Or something else entirely? Her mind raced to find reason, logic—but nothing made sense. Reagan must’ve noticed the storm behind her eyes. He took a step clos
After finishing their meal, Lara stood and reached for the plates. “Let me wash the dishes. It’s the least I can do after everything.” she offered. But Reagan gently reached out to take the plates from her hands. “No need. You’re a guest, remember? Besides, I’ve got a dishwasher.” Lara gave him a reluctant look but eventually surrendered. “Alright, fine. I won’t argue with that.” Reagan gave her a brief nod. “You can relax in the living room or do whatever you feel like. I’ll just clean up here.” With a nod, Lara stepped out of the kitchen, wandering through the spacious penthouse. But instead of heading for the couch, her eyes were drawn to the glass doors leading to the balcony. She quietly slid them open and stepped outside. The air was cooler out there, crisp against her skin. The balcony stretched wide along the edge of the penthouse, open and generous. Its railing, made of clear fiberglass, was nearly invisible—like there was nothing between her and the world below—but th
Lara stirred slowly, her limbs heavy and her mind clouded with sleep. A faint headache pulsed at her temples, and for a moment, she didn’t quite understand where she was.Her brows furrowed as her gaze focused on the unfamiliar ceiling above her. It wasn’t hers. The room smelled faintly of sandalwood and something clean—masculine. She sat up abruptly, the soft comforter slipping off her shoulders.Panic seized her chest.Where... am I?This definitely wasn’t her room. The walls were painted in elegant shades of cream and black, the furniture minimalist but sleek. Everything about the space whispered luxury—but also restraint.Instinctively, she checked herself under the covers. She was still in the same clothes as earlier. Relief rushed through her, but her mind was still racing.Running her fingers through her messy hair, she tried to piece together what had happened. Her heart dropped as flashes of memory came rushing back—her conversation with Lucas... breaking down in Reagan’s arm
Lara kept walking, not once glancing back. Her chest felt tight, her emotions roaring inside her like a violent storm. Her vision blurred as tears clung stubbornly to her lashes, and the lump in her throat felt impossibly large. She pressed the elevator button with trembling fingers. When the doors slid open, she stepped inside and pressed herself into the corner, willing herself to disappear. The doors were just about to close when suddenly, a hand slipped through, forcing them to open again. Startled, Lara looked up—and her breath hitched in her throat when she saw who it was. “R-Reagan?” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. There he was, still in his dark, tailored suit, the crispness of his appearance a stark contrast to his expression. His usually composed face was tight with concern, his brows knitted together in a deep frown. There was no mistaking the worry in his sharp green eyes. Without a word, Reagan stepped inside. The elevator doors closed behind him, sealing
Lara stared at him like he had grown another head. And then, she let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Oh, God, Lucas. Are you being serious right now?”“I am,” he said, jaw tight with emotion.Lara’s heart thudded painfully inside her chest, but she kept her face neutral, forcing herself to stay calm even when her insides felt like a storm.“I was stupid... a coward,” Lucas went on, his eyes desperate. “I didn’t have the courage to admit it to myself, much less to you. I made so many mistakes, Lara. I was so consumed by guilt, by anger, by everything... and I hurt you. I know I did. Over and over because of my pride and selfishness. I blamed you for everything, when in truth, I was just as much—if not more—at fault. And by the time I realized I couldn’t afford to lose you... you were already slipping away from me.”There was no sign of the cold, emotionless Lucas she once knew. Now, he was stripped bare, vulnerable in a way she had never seen before.But Lara said nothing. She simply
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the living room.Lara stirred first, blinking against the soft brightness. She yawned and stretched, her muscles slightly sore from sleeping on the couch. She squinted at the wall clock to check the time.8:26 AM.A groggy voice mumbled from the other couch, “What time is it?”Lara turned her head to see Ali, tangled in the blanket, peeking at her with one eye half-open.“Eight twenty-six,” Lara answered, sitting up with a stretch that made her spine pop satisfyingly.Ali groaned, rolling over and blindly reaching for her phone on the coffee table. Meanwhile, Lara padded quietly out of the living room, making her way to the bathroom to freshen up. She splashed cold water on her face, brushed her teeth, and tied her hair into a messy bun before heading to the kitchen.She decided to prepare breakfast—simple but filling. Pancakes sizzled on the stove while eggs fried in another pan. She quickly threw toge
By the time Lara got home, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a soft orange hue over the city skyline. The silence of her condo wrapped around her like a blanket—welcoming, familiar, and exactly what she needed after the emotional weight of her conversation with Riah. She wasn’t sad. Not really. She was just… tired. She dropped her keys in the bowl by the door, slipped off her shoes, and head towards the living room. She barely had time to sit on the couch when her phone rang. Ali. “Hey,” Lara answered, trying to sound normal. [“Okay, I know it’s short notice, but I’m sleeping over tonight,”] Ali announced without preamble. [“It’s Friday, tomorrow’s the weekend, and it’s been way too long since we had a proper girls’ night.”] Lara blinked, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. “You sure? I just got home, and I’m honestly not the best company right now.” [“All the more reason I’m coming over,”] Ali said. [“You need this. Trust me.”] Lara paused. She di