CHAPTER 031 - Boiling Tempers

It was Thursday afternoon when Demani decided to go to a shopping center to buy new summer dresses for their upcoming vacation in El Nido, Palawan. She had already started packing when she realized she barely had any beach clothes, so she thought of heading to Ortigas to shop first.She had already spoken with her parents during her visit a couple of days ago. She told them that she and Van would be going on vacation and wouldn’t be back until Monday. Surprisingly, her family didn’t question her about it, and when she informed her Grandma Val, the old woman was even delighted to know that Van had finally made time for her.Demani was relieved she didn’t have to make up any stories just to avoid being questioned about their absence at the upcoming Sunday get-together. Even Van was visibly pleased that the trip was pushing through.

Last Updated : 2025-07-15

CHAPTER 032 - The Overflow

Van was taken aback by her sudden outburst, and truthfully, so was she. The sharpness in her voice, the force of the push; it hadn’t been intentional. She hadn’t meant to lash out. But she had been wound tight all afternoon, frustration simmering beneath the surface, and it had taken only one unexpected touch to make it all boil over.She was overwhelmed. Not just by the burnt dinner or the throbbing pain in her hand, but by everything; her thoughts, her day, and that maddening encounter at the mall.Van’s brows drew together in quiet alarm. “Are you… all right?”She pressed her hand to her forehead, sighing deeply, but didn’t answer. Instead, she turned away, needing something— anything— to do with her hands. She walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a stack of plates, moving with stiff, robotic precision.

Last Updated : 2025-07-15

CHAPTER 033 - What Her Body Needed

She had no plans of taking it back. Not her request. Not her bold, desperate need.Right now, she needed her husband’s touch more than anything else in the world. She needed to feel wanted. To be held. To be consumed.His love was the only thing that could quiet the storm raging inside her; more than warm baths, more than medicine, more than words. She ached for him, and she wasn’t going to pretend otherwise.Van didn’t say anything. Not a single word.Instead, he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her burned hand, so tender it sent shivers up her spine. Then he kissed her again, a breath longer this time.Then again, slower, warmer, tracing the shape of her pain with devotion.

Last Updated : 2025-07-16

CHAPTER 034 - The Call That Changed Everything

Demani began neatly arranging the clothes she and her husband would bring for their trip to Palawan. He would arrive at five in the afternoon to pick her up. They were leaving that night, and she could hardly wait to spend time with her husband and finally relax after such a long stretch of routine.The last time they went away together was right after their wedding. Their honeymoon. And that was never followed by another trip.Van had been busy with work, busy with the company. And she had no problem with that. She understood. She never complained because it was also for their future as a family.Besides... even without weekend getaways or luxurious vacations, Van never made her feel unloved.She was always cherished.

Last Updated : 2025-07-16

CHAPTER 035 - Caught Between Two Worlds

Demani cautiously turned the knob and pushed open the door to their bedroom that night. Her heart pounded as she stepped inside. She had just come back from the hospital where Coreen had been admitted, and now, thankfully, her cousin was resting. It was already ten in the evening, and she knew Van was likely inside, waiting for her.She felt a deep unease creeping into her chest. She didn’t know what kind of mood Van would be in or how he would react to everything that had happened. And that scared her.Earlier that afternoon, right before leaving for the hospital, Demani had tried to reach Van. She had called him twice, but both attempts went unanswered. Then she remembered he had back-to-back meetings that day, three major ones, in fact. It was entirely possible that he didn’t have his phone with him during the meetings.So she sent him a message instead. In the text, she told him that Coreen h

Last Updated : 2025-07-17

CHAPTER 036 - Breakfast Without Apologies

Demani reached out to her husband, hoping to embrace him and let him feel how much she loved him. She wanted him to know that he was important to her, that she cared for him, that her heart belonged to him entirely. She also wanted to promise that what had happened would not happen again. That even she was growing tired of how Coreen was treating her own life.But just as she was about to touch him, Van gently pulled away and avoided her hand."Never mind, Demani. I know that no matter what I say, it'll go in one ear and out the other. You know I understand and love you, so you think this is okay. Let's not talk for now, or I might say something I regret."She could not respond. Van turned off the lamp and faced away from her.Feeling utterly crushed and defeated, Demani