All Chapters of Daddy, I Got You the Coldest Wife: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

SAMANTHA'S POVPaglabas namin ni Lolo sa restaurant, may lamig sa hangin na sumalubong sa amin—‘yung tipong malamig pero hindi nakakairita, parang paalala lang na gabi na nga pala. May bitbit siyang maliit na paper bag na may natirang dessert namin, at ako naman, tangan-tangan ‘yung saya dahil nagkaroon kami ng time ni lolo--na walang pagkukunwari. Para akong may hawak na invisible box ng mga alaala at tanong—bukas na siya, pero hindi ko pa makita ang laman.“Salamat, Lolo,” sabi ko habang naglalakad kami papunta sa parking area. “Sa uulitin po.”“Thank you din apo,” sagot niya. “ nagsimula na tayong buuin ‘yung mga dapat nang buuin. Sana hindi ka magsasawang dalawin ako.” Napangiti ako. Gusto ko ‘yong sinabi niya. Nagsimula na kami. At least ngayon, kahit papaano, may direksyon na ang mga tanong ko. Habang papalapit kami sa gilid ng kalsada, may kung anong umagaw ng pansin ko sa kabilang restaurant—isang modernong fine dine in restaurant din-, may malalaking glass windows na fully tr

SAMANTHA'S POVI didn’t go to work the next day. For the first time in a very long while, I chose not to keep up with the world. I filed an indefinite leave. No long explanation, just a short email with the subject line: “INDEFINITE LEAVE.” And it was the truth. I don't know when I will go back, I needed to breathe. I needed to feel that I was still me—that I hadn’t completely disappeared beneath all the questions, the pain, and the pretending. So I went home. Not to the condo. Not to the city. I went home to the north—to the island.To the place where I first learned how to swim, to laugh without holding back, and to sit in silence without it meaning sadness.The island owned by our family--my grandparents nest when they were still alive. Good thing, Papa Ed, my dad's brother, and his family are here for a vacation--away from the city life also. Papa Ed is a doctor, while mama Sandra is a chemist. The island felt like a different world. Quiet, far from the noise of the city and the w

Samantha's POVHindi ko inaasahan na makikita ko ulit si Dr. Elian pagkatapos ng medical mission. Akala ko tapos na ’yung maikling pagkikita naming ’yon—isang encounter na marahil ay agad ding malilimutan. Pero hindi pala.“Sam, dumating na si Elian,” sabi ni Papa Ed habang nakasilip sa veranda. “Sumama ka, ipapakilala ko siya sa inyo nang maayos.”Napalingon ako mula sa binabasa kong libro.“Si Dr. Elian? Dito?”Tumango si Papa Ed, saka ngumiti. “Naalala mo ’yung tumulong sa atin sa medical mission? Inimbitahan ko siya to spend a day here. Mabait ’yon, magaling pa. Nasa Manila siya naka-base, pero sakto may free time siya ngayon.”Bumangon ako at sumunod kay Papa Ed papunta sa receiving area. Doon ko na siya nakita. Nakatayo si Dr. Elian sa tabi ng mga tanim na bougainvillea, suot pa rin ang simpleng polo shirt at pantalon, pero ang presence niya—parang doktor pa rin. Tahimik. Maalagang aura.“Hi,” bati niya, sabay abot ng kamay.“Hi, doc,” sagot ko, medyo awkward na ngumiti. “Nice s

Samantha's POVI stayed in my room the entire day. I thought maybe time would slow the pounding in my chest, or ease the tension in my shoulders. It didn’t. I lay still, eyes open, barely blinking. I could hear the waves just outside my window. I could hear laughter, faint voices from the other side of the house. I didn’t come out until the sun had dipped low, casting long shadows across the floor.I thought—hoped—that by now, he’d be gone. But as I stepped out into the garden, I heard it again—his laugh. I froze.There he was. Sitting cross-legged on the grass like he belonged there. His sleeves rolled up. Sand on his jeans. He was playing with the triplets—letting them stack plastic cups on his head while he made ridiculous sound effects that had the kids in fits of laughter.Beside them, Mama Sandra was giggling, holding her phone up to record the moment, and Papa Eduard was leaning against the porch railing, arms crossed, watching them with a proud smile. Struve looked up, and our

THIRD PERSON POVThe sea was calm, sunlight stretching across the waves like golden silk. Samantha stood by the wooden railing, suitcase by her side, her conversation with Papa Ed soft but steady.“I think it’s time,” she said. “I’ve stayed long enough. I miss my apartment and ofcourse, papers in my office.”Papa Ed looked at her with a quiet understanding. “That's my girl--we will have couple of days more here, susunod na rin kami?”Samantha nodded. He sighed and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Alright. I'll have someone prep the boat—"The screen door creaked open behind them.Struve stepped out, dressed and packed, holding his duffel bag.“I’ll go back too,” he said casually, though his tone carried something heavier beneath. Samantha turned, her expression unreadable. “No one said you had to.”“I know,” Struve said. He looked at Papa Ed briefly. “Thanks, Doc. I’ll just hitch a ride back with Sam.”Samantha turned back to the sea. “You don’t have to.”“I want to,” he replied. “