Lahat ng Kabanata ng After The Vows: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

Chapter 72Drew’s POVEvery part of me wanted to run after Alia.My legs even moved at first, like my body hadn’t gotten the message yet. Like it still believed I had a right to go after her, to grab her arm again, to stop her from walking away like that.But I didn’t.I just stood there, watching her push the gate open.Her body was shaking badly from the cold, her steps unsteady, but she didn’t stop.My eyes didn’t leave her. Not even for a second.Not until she was completely out of sight.“I’m the reason she looks like that…” I muttered under my breath, my voice barely audible.The rain kept falling hard, soaking through my clothes, dripping down my face, sliding down my neck.I should have been cold.But I wasn’t.My chest felt too tight for me to notice anything else.You’re better off forgotten in my memory than being my reality.Those were Alia’s words to me.And they broke me more than I could even admit.Those words meant I should have stayed buried in the past.Not someone

Chapter 74I stood in front of the mirror for a while after dressing up. My hair was still a bit damp, falling over my shoulders, and my face looked… tired.Not just tired.I felt drained, like everything in me had been pulled out and left empty.I wanted nothing more than to lie in my bed and shut my mind off, but Alice was cooking for me, I hadn’t seen my kids today, and Harry was still waiting downstairs.Get yourself together, Alia, I whispered under my breath.I couldn’t afford to break down or look weak right now. No one could know what Drew had said to me… not now.I took a deep breath and walked out of the room.Downstairs, Harry was sitting, eyes glued to the TV.He looked up the moment he noticed me, and his expression softened immediately.“You’re all dried up now… did you catch a cold?” he asked his eyes filled with concern.“No,” I shook my head, glancing around. I could hear Alice moving in the kitchen.I walked over and sat on the couch, keeping a small distance between

Chapter 76“Hello Alia, how are you doing?” Priscy answered.“Hmmmm… I’m fine,” I said quietly, staring at the river as I spoke.“Alia…” she paused, “I have not been myself after last night. Are you mad at me?”“No… no, Priscy. Far from it.” I shook my head slowly. “I’m mad at myself, not you.”“You know what…” her voice softened, “where are you? This is not a conversation we can have over the phone. Are you free? Can I see you?”I let out a small breath, rubbing my forehead.“Of course… I really need company. I’m at the park. Do you want to come over or should we pick somewhere else?”“The park is fine. Just send me the address.”“Okay, I’ll text it to you right away.” I took another sip from my coffee.“I’m waiting. See you soon.” Priscy’s voice sounded excited.The call ended.I lowered the phone slowly, staring at the blank screen for a second before dropping it beside me.Priscy has always been a happy soul. Being around her always lifts my spirit… back then and even now, that’s

Chapter 78I wasn’t going to let this slide. This was the third time Kirah had threatened me. I opened the car door and ran after her.“Kirah! Kirah!” I yelled, my voice echoing down the quiet street.I was done with her threats. It was time I put her in her place. She didn’t answer me. She kept walking toward an empty, dark street.I followed her. The street was deserted; the only thing I saw was a cat scavenging from a trash can. I looked ahead,Kirah was gone.“I thought you wanted me out of your sight. Now you’re coming after me” Kirah whispered beside me.”I turned. There she was, leaning casually against a wall, her eyes shining in the dim light.“Kirah,” I said, stepping toward her, “you’re biting off more than you can chew.”She laughed, a sharp, bitter sound. “You’re the one pushing me, Drew. Always shutting me out. You look at me with disgust that same mouth” she pointed to my lips “ that once showered me with praises now curses me. And you expect me not to be hurt?”“Kirah,

Chapter 80 “Alia!” I heard Drew scream. Everything happened too fast. One second I was standing there… frozen, staring at the car. Next thing, it was already coming straight at me. I wanted to move, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know if it was shock or fear… but my body refused to respond even when I knew I was in danger. Then suddenly— A strong force hit me.Drew shoved me out of the way. I fell hard to the ground , The car sped past the exact spot I had been standing making a loud screeching sound. My ears rang loudly. I pressed my hands against them. My head was spinning. For a moment… everything went blank. “Ouch…” I felt a sharp pain in my back. It must be from the force when I hit the ground. I blinked slowly, my vision clearing bit by bit as I heard voices. “Mum! Mum, are you okay?” Liam and Luna cried out. They were kneeling beside me, their hands shaking as they held me. I must have scared them badly. “I’m fine… babies, don’t cry,” I said quickly, forcing a small sm