CHAPTER 131—SHARING A ROOM WITH HIM

SERENA'S POVRamdam ko ang paggalaw ng mundo sa paligid ko. Dahan-dahan kong ibinuka ang mga mata ko, at sa unang tingin pa lang ay napasinghap na ako sa gulat nang makita ko si Sebastian na buhat-buhat ako. Nakapulupot ang isang braso niya sa likod ko habang ang isa naman ay nakasuporta sa ilalim ng mga tuhod ko. His steps were steady, but I could feel the slight movement of his chest every time he breathed.Nakita ko ang sarili kong nabalutan ng jacket niya. The familiar scent of his cologne clung to the fabric, making me realize just how close I was to him."Se-sebastian...?" Mahina kong tanong.He looked at me before looking ahead."Stay still. I'll bring you to your room," he whispered."Kanina pa ba tayo dumating?""Only a few minutes ago.""....I can walk now, you know?""I know. But I also know that you are exhausted, physically and emotionally.""...you don't really have to do this.""I have to. You are my wife."I wish that were true.Na pwede niya na lang akong pagsabihan n

CHAPTER 132—WITH HIS VAGUE FEELINGS

SERENA'S POV Sinara ng lola ni Sebastian ang pintuan. Marahil ay ni-lock niya rin ito. Having Sebastian in my room feels a bit awkward. Lalo na't biglaan niya akong hinalikan kanina. But, for now, I'm too emotionally drained to think about it. Parang naubos na ang lakas ko sa lahat ng nangyari ngayong araw. Ang bigat ng katawan ko, at kahit pilitin kong ayusin ang mga gumugulong na kaisipan sa isip ko, isa-isa rin silang bumabalik. The death of Mang Nardo, Papa, the investigation, and now Sebastian's confession. "I guess we can't do anything about it. We don't want my grandma to be suspicious" ".....gusto ko nalang matulog. Let's just talk about it tomorrow" "Yeah, I think you should rest" Naglakad siya papalapit at umupo sa kama. Nakasandal na ang likod ko sa bed frame. Nanatili lang akong nakatingin sa kanya habang pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mas dapat kong isipin, ang halik niya kanina o ang mga salitang binitiwan niya tungkol sa babaeng

CHAPTER 134—FINDING OUT THE RED BOX AND THE LETTER

SEBASTIAN'S POV MINUTES LATER I woke up with my mind feeling refreshed. For some reason, I had slept better than I usually did. The kind of sleep that left no heaviness in my body and no lingering thoughts clawing at the back of my mind. Why is it that whenever Serena sleeps beside me, I'm able to sleep this well? Maybe it was because I knew she was there. The thought alone felt strange. I looked at her. She's still sleeping. Her dark, wavy hair covered part of her face, hiding her delicate features beneath the loose strands. I slowly brushed her hair away from her face, careful not to wake her. She let out a soft, sleepy moan. I froze for a second. This was not the Serena I always saw. The woman in front of me was nothing like the woman who constantly challenged me, argued with me, and stood her ground even when everyone else tried to bring her down. Serena was always defiant. Fierce. She carried herself like someone who had learned that showing weakness was a

CHAPTER 135—DID YOU TELL THAT YOU LOVE HER?

SEBASTIAN'S POVI frowned. I'm not mad, but I hate bringing up that kind of topic. Kasi lagi na lang akong pinapaalala na anak nina Eric at Serena sina Chloe at Caleb. The moment their names are mentioned alongside Eric's, something unpleasant settles in my chest. I don't want to think of him, much less associate him with the two children who are slowly becoming an important part of my life. I glanced away, my jaw tightening as I tried to keep my irritation under control."You are saying that as if the kids are unacceptable. As you should know, those kids didn't inherit any traits from that asshole. Caleb is smart, Chloe is adorable, and both of them have the same unique eyes. Even the twins' personalities are different from each other, but they are still both loving and kind.""I can see it, I can see it like water in a clear glass.""Then what's your point?""Sebastian, have you forgotten?""Forgotten about what?""About the woman from six years ago."Ah, the woman that I shared the

CHAPTER 136—HE USED TO BE A LOVING KID

SERENA'S POV"Ayos, linggo na ngayon!" Natutuwang sigaw ni Chloe habang nasa mesa kami at kumakain."Chloe, huwag masyadong mag-ingay lalo na sa harap ng pagkain," sabi ko."Nako, nakakatuwa naman na masabik ang anak niyo para sa closing ceremony nila," sabi naman ni Lola.Nasa dining room kami ng mansyon, kumakain para sa almusal. Kasama ang lolo at lola ni Sebastian. Narito rin si Mama. Natapos na akong kumain kanina, pero nanatili ako sa mesa para bantayan ang mga anak ko. Hindi na kasi ako masyadong nagkaroon ng oras para sa kanila nitong mga nakaraang araw. Masyado akong naging abala sa imbestigasyon, sa mga problema ng kompanya, at sa mga bagay na unti-unting lumalalim sa pagitan namin ni Sebastian.Kaya kahit simpleng panonood lang sa kanila habang kumakain, gusto kong sulitin. Tinitingnan ko si Chloe na masayang nagkukuwento habang si Caleb naman ay tahimik na nakikinig, paminsan-minsan ay sumasagot sa kapatid niya. Sa mga sandaling ganito, napapaalala sa akin kung gaano kabil

CHAPTER 137—RELYING ON FATE

SERENA'S POV I don't know. It hurts me thinking na may posibilidad na hindi tunay ang nararamdaman ni Sebastian, na naguguluhan lang pala siya all this time. At may posibilidad rin na maaaring hindi ko piliin ang mundo niya because it's unfair to him. Why would he choose a woman like me? Isang disgrasyadang babae. Suddenly, I heard someone knocking on my door. Binuksan ko ito at nakita si Mama. Ganun pa rin ang mga mata niya, her eyes of a daring mother. Kahit ilang problema na ang dumaan sa amin, may tapang pa rin sa mga mata niya. Para bang kahit gaano kagulo ang mundo, handa siyang harapin iyon para sa amin. "Pupunta ako ngayon sa kulungan ng Papa mo," sabi ni Mama. "Paki-kumusta na lang po ako sa kaniya," sabi ko. "And tell him everything, tungkol kay Mang Nardo at ang misteryosong korapsyon na nangyayari sa kompanya ng mga Lancaster." "Gusto ko sanang isama ang mga anak mo doon." "....I don't think it's healthy for the children." "Anak, akala ko ba hindi ka na galit s