130

Xavier's POVSasha joined Adelaide and me for dinner, ruining my already sour mood. She sat at the head, and Adelaide perched between us, swinging her legs and eating, full of chatter and mashed potatoes.“Today we did fractions, and Mrs. Kipling said I was the best reader. Jermaine helped me with spelling. Can I spend the weekend at Grandma's?”Sasha leaned over our daughter, and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Don’t talk while chewing.”I stayed quiet. It was heartwarming how easily Adelaide blended in with her brothers, and somewhat commendable that Sasha had stopped being so irritating, no longer filling the girl’s head with nonsense about Savannah and the boys.Sasha kept sneaking glances at me between bites, probably weighing how much she could say without pushing me out the door.“You still hate fish?” she asked eventually, gesturing at her plate.“Never liked it,” I mumbled.She chuckled like we were old college friends, bringing up things I wasn’t even interested in talking a

Huling Na-update : 2025-09-10

Magbasa pa

131

Savannah One Month LaterWaiting for Sasha’s heart to soften had worn me out. At this point, I just wanted the divorce to run its course. There was nothing left to salvage anyway.My mother had moved in with her. Xavier had been around a lot. Most nights, actually. The weight of everything—his name being dragged, his loyalty questioned, the endless "how-could-you-do-this-to-your-wife" angle—was starting to wear thin for him.I stopped checking the news after week two. Blocked all the gossip pages. They kept saying "Poor Luna.""What a shame.""That kind of betrayal—from your own blood."One dreadful evening, we were watching the news when the sound of the broadcaster's voices made my skin crawl.“I swear, if I hear another panel argue about who should be ashamed between Sasha and me, I’ll lose my mind.”Xavier sighed, picked up the remote, and turned the TV off.“People talk. They always do. You don’t need opinions from people who don’t even care about the truth.”They painted Sasha

Huling Na-update : 2025-09-10

Magbasa pa

132

Savannah Sasha swayed like a drunk at a bus stop. I caught her before she hit the floor.She held on to me. Like, full-on clutched my hand like I was a banister. The air between us felt tight. Everyone around kept clapping for the stupid cake. Our parents noticed. Xavier noticed. And Eve, God bless her petty little soul, gave me that you’ve got some nerve touching Sasha look.“You should sit down if you feel dizzy,” I said.But the second she realized it was me holding her, she yanked away.“I… I’m fine.” All quiet.Like hell you are.I let go. I didn’t want her snapping at me in front of people. Aris had his fingers wrapped around his girlfriend’s waist. He looked disturbed. And then Sasha, still sounding disoriented, leaned over and whispered, “Who’s that man? Your guest?”“Whoa, you’re speaking to me now?” I was two seconds from checking if she had a fever or something.She gave me an annoyed look. I told her straight, “He’s my obstetrician. And beside him is his girlfriend.”Boom

Huling Na-update : 2025-09-10

Magbasa pa

133

Savannah Six months later, I held my daughter in my arms for the first time. She was warm, quiet, and still red in the face from all that pushing. A thick tuft of dark hair curled on her crown, and I gave a small groan.“Why do I even bother?” I muttered. “My genes must be the weakest thing in this room. All my kids come out looking like you.”Xavier chuckled. He looked stupidly proud. The doctor joined in, wiping her hands on a towel, her scrubs damp with sweat. She was middle-aged, worn around the eyes but kind in the way she gave you her full attention. Her energy had been calm the whole time, which made this birth feel less like a rescue mission compared to what Jermaine and Jace put me through. That hellhole of a public maternity center hadn’t even had enough beds, let alone patient nurses.“She’s beautiful,” the doctor said. “And healthy. That’s what matters.”Xavier leaned in and kissed my forehead. “Maybe the next one might take after you.”I turned my head. “Either hire a su

Huling Na-update : 2025-09-10

Magbasa pa

Lahat ng Kabanata ng Fighting For The Alpha's Mark: Kabanata 131 - Kabanata 134

130

131

132

133