All Chapters of My Deceptive Heart: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Inhaling the fresh breeze of air through the window of the bus felt so refreshing and calming while the sun's rays were slightly squinting in my eyes. It was a welcome change from the city's fast pace, the constant honking, and the endless traffic. Here, the sweet, earthy smell of trees, damp moss, and wildflowers filled my nose. It felt so relaxing, heartwarming, and heartbreaking at the same time. How could I ever forget this scent? This was the place I grew up, the place I left behind for a new life.After almost eight years in France, I was finally heading back to my hometown. I was hesitant and a bit worried, but I just decided to ignore it. My sister is expecting me to attend and be a part of the most special event of her life. She sent the invitation last month, inviting me to her wedding day with a message that she was expecting me to come home and attend her upcoming wedding. Although I didn't understand why she ended up marrying a different man when all along I thought she wa

After dinner, Alexa led me to my room, and I was deeply touched to find that it hadn't changed at all. It was as if I hadn't been gone for eight long years. My paintings, my closet, my books and forgotten sketchpads, the bed, even my favorite floral bed sheet and blanket. Everything was arranged exactly as I had left it. Scanning the room, floods of memories washed over me, from childhood antics to awkward teenage days. I remembered how Mom used to tuck me in at night, how Alexa would sneak in during thunderstorms and steal half my bed, and how I'd hide away to paint on the verandah whenever Dad’s scolding stung too much."I'm glad nothing's changed in my room," I said to Alexa, my voice barely above a whisper."Mom always made sure it was clean. She never stopped hoping you'd come back." My sister's words warmed me, but a pang of guilt twisted in my gut. "I hope you came home for good now.""As I told Dad, I'll be heading back to France after your wedding. I was planning to stay for a

My heart hammered against my ribs as I felt my knees trembling in nervousness. This was the moment I’d dreaded: the start of my misery. How I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole. Death felt preferable to marrying a stranger, to facing a future I couldn't even imagine.According to my mom, I was about to marry Ezekiel Saldivar, the grandson and heir of Don Juancho Saldivar, a multi-millionaire business tycoon. Don Juancho had been best friends with my late grandfather, Bienvenido Hernandez, and this wedding was meant to fulfill a promise between them. Since both men had only sons, they decided the arrangement would pass to their grandchildren. When my grandfather died, the agreement became void, and Don Juancho never insisted upon it. But when our company faced dire financial straits, my dad resurrected that agreement to gain Don Juancho's help.When I pressed for information about the man I was to marry, my mom said Ezekiel Saldivar graduated with honors in Business Ad

As the party continued, I went with the flow, following wherever my groom led me and introducing me to every guest we encountered, all while flashing my sweet, fake smile. Although my groom acted gentlemanly, guiding me as we greeted and thanked our guests, his sarcastic and rude demeanor still dominated."I'm quite surprised by this sweet and submissive bride I have today. It makes me wonder what games you're playing," he said. Trying not to mind his words, I continued exchanging pleasantries and greeting the visitors we met along the way."I wonder if the princess has lost her tongue now," I heard him say, which made me glare at him."Does the idea of being married to me disgust you that much?" I couldn't help but exclaim."Don't act as if you don't feel the same," I heard him sourly retort.Oh gosh, what kind of relationship does my twin sister have with this man? Now I was obligated to find out, but I had no clue where or how to start. Why would he treat me this way? Could it be th

"May I ask where we're going?" I couldn't help but ask as we sat in the car, while he was behind the wheel, driving. I was confused. The wedding reception venue was only ten minutes away from the airport, yet he had been driving for half an hour. It was around midnight when the wedding party ended. My mom had informed me that our honeymoon would be in the Maldives for a week, all expenses paid by my father as a gift. I had never been to the Maldives, but I knew it was one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world."My place," he replied curtly, his voice as cold as ice."Your place?" I repeated, puzzled."Sorry to burst your bubble, wife, but we're not going on a honeymoon. We don't need one." His words made me look at him, a question forming in my eyes."What am I going to tell my parents?" I asked nonchalantly, not wanting to sound disappointed."I'll just tell our parents that something came up and we'll have to postpone the honeymoon."I decided to look out the car window aft