Semua Bab ANOTHER DAY ROTTING IN VAIN: Bab 1 - Bab 10

"Where did all this food come from?" Demani asked in surprise when she saw the dishes laid out on the table. She had only been gone for less than twenty minutes—just enough time to drop her bags off in the guest room upstairs, freshen up, and calm herself down. But when she came back down, the dining area was already set with food.Van, who was already seated at the far end of the dining table, adjusted his napkin and laid it across his lap."I asked Attorney Salviejo to send them. His assistant brought all of this while you were upstairs. My maid set the table."So now you have a maid, huh? You once said you didn’t want anyone else inside the house—just the two of us and our future kids. You didn’t want anyone disturbing us while we made love anywhere in this house.She sighed inwardly.I guess I haven’t really moved on from all the bittersweet memories…Van cleared his throat to get her attention. She turned her gaze back to him.“Have a seat and join me for lunch,” he said, motioni

Demani had just stepped outside when she was greeted by a heavy downpour. The weather had worsened, and it looked like she was going to have an even harder time finding a taxi.She retrieved the umbrella she had hung on the rack earlier and opened it. Across the street, she saw several taxis and UV Express vans passing by. That was where she decided to wait. Carefully, she began to cross the road. Because traffic was heavy, it wasn’t too difficult for her to make her way through. She squeezed between cars until she reached the other side.She was racing against time. She needed to get home before her grandmother, Gran Valentina, arrived.Two taxis passed right in front of her, but both were already occupied. She didn’t mind the dirty rainwater splashing onto her pants as she competed with other people trying to flag down a ride.She had lost count of how long she had been standing there, struggling under the rain while carrying the cake box. It was large and heavy, so she had to hold i

“Then come on in.” Demani quickly turned away, trying to hide the flush spreading across her cheeks. She pretended to be nonchalant, but she had been on the verge of squealing from joy for minutes now.Her whole family, including her parents who had been watching from the back with arched brows, now had teasing looks in their eyes as they followed her movements.She walked toward the kitchen and left the rest of the family to welcome Van.“He’s cute, huh? Your type?” Maureen whispered behind her.“No, he’s not!” she snapped defensively, placing the box by the sink.“Cut it out. Your eyes are literally shaped like hearts right now,” Maureen teased, elbowing her again. “Looks like the whole family approves. Should we go ahead and have him court you?”Demani swatted her cousin’s arm and glanced nervously at the kitchen doorway, afraid someone might overhear them.“My God, Mau. My heart’s racing and I don’t know what to do. I couldn’t breathe in the car earlier. I was so nervous and uneas

 A lavish beach wedding took place in the month of September; two hearts became one, and Demani's last name officially became Loudd. Many guests attended, all expenses covered by Van, including travel from Manila to Batangas, where the wedding was held.All of Demani’s friends from the hospital where she worked were there, along with her whole family. Van also invited people from his own circle; business executives, clients, staff, and others. It was also then that Demani met the person who raised her husband and whom he considers his family: Attorney Arnel Salviejo.The ceremony was emotional; Demani cried as Van read his vow, and again when she read hers. Even her mother and father couldn’t hold back their tears, while Grandma Val wore a beaming smile. She was Van’s number one fan; there was nothing negative she could say about

 That was not the kind of kiss Van usually gave her. Most of the time, her husband's kisses were deep, passionate, and filled with a raw, sensual hunger— almost animalistic in their intensity— which she secretly adored. His kisses often left her breathless and yearning for more. But what he had just given her was different. It was soft, tender, and surprisingly restrained. There was a gentleness to it that caught her off guard. And before she could even fully respond, he had already pulled away, ending it too soon.She tilted her face up to him and lovingly caressed his cheek, her fingertips grazing the sharp lines of his jaw with reverence, as if memorizing the shape of the man she adored. Her touch lingered, slow and tender, savoring the warmth of his skin.“Are you hungry?” she asked, her voice gentle but layered with mea