Alle Kapitel von After My Husband Betrayed Me, I Married His Greatest Rival: Kapitel 11 – Kapitel 20

Hindi na hinintay ni Elena na magsalita pa si Adrian.Pagkatapos nitong sabihing hindi kailangang magpaliwanag ni Shelia, parang may kung anong tuluyang naputol sa loob niya.Hindi naman bago.Matagal na niyang alam kung saan siya nakatayo sa buhay ni Adrian. Kailangan lang niyang makita ulit para maalala kung bakit hindi siya puwedeng bumalik sa dating Elena.“I’m tired,” she said.Mahina lang ang boses niya, pero malinaw.Then she looked at Adrian.“Do whatever you want.”Hindi siya naghintay ng sagot.Dumaan siya sa living room nang hindi tumitingin kay Shelia. Hindi rin niya pinansin ang house doctor, ang first-aid kit sa center table, o ang dampi ng pag-aalala sa mukha ng ilang house staff.Pag-akyat niya sa second floor, saka lang niya hinawakan ang railing.Nang maisara niya ang pinto ng bedroom, doon niya hinayaan ang sarili niyang huminga nang malalim.Tahimik ang kwarto.Masyadong tahimik.Hinubad niya ang heels niya at umupo sa gilid ng kama. Namumula ang mga pulsuhan niya

Doña Celeste was waiting beside the private elevator when Elena and Adrian came downstairs.The moment they approached, Adrian reached for Elena’s hand.His fingers closed around hers.Warm. Firm. Practiced.Elena looked down at their joined hands.She knew exactly what he was doing.Doña Celeste was watching.“Much better,” the older woman said.Adrian did not answer.He only held Elena’s hand a little tighter as they entered the elevator.Elena played along.She leaned closer when the doors opened and smiled when Doña Celeste looked back at them.They looked like a married couple.That was all it was.A performance for one woman.Doña Celeste had raised Adrian after both his parents died. He respected her more than he respected most people, and he rarely ignored her instructions.Which was why Elena allowed the act to continue.It was easier than explaining the truth.Inside the car, Doña Celeste sat beside Elena while Adrian took the front passenger seat.The driver pulled away fro

Pagkasara ng pinto sa likod ni Adrian, agad kinuha ni Elena ang phone niya.Nandoon pa rin ang message ni Damien.You missed our meeting.Sinundan iyon ng isa pa.Rico is not the only person involved.Hindi na siya nag-isip nang matagal.Tinawagan niya si Damien.Isang ring lang bago ito sumagot.“Hello?”“Sorry. I was delayed.”“I know.”Napatingin si Elena sa screen.“You know?”“I’m on my way,” she continued before he could explain. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”“You don’t have to rush.”“Hindi ako nagmamadali. May kailangan lang akong malaman.”“Drive safely.”Natapos ang tawag.Simple lang.Walang tanong kung nasaan siya. Walang reklamo kung bakit gabi na.Pero may kakaibang cer

Nasa hospital pa rin si Adrian kinaumagahan.Hindi dahil kailangan siyang manatili roon buong gabi. Ayon sa doctor, minor sprain lang ang ankle ni Shelia at puwede na itong umuwi matapos maobserbahan.Pero hindi umalis si Adrian.Nasa visitor’s chair siya malapit sa bintana, hawak ang tablet at may ilang tawag na sinagot bago mag-umaga. Paminsan-minsan, tinitingnan niya ang ankle ni Shelia kapag gumagalaw ito.Nang tumunog ang phone niya, agad siyang sumagot.“Joe?”“Sir, tumawag ang admissions office ng Aurora School of Finance.”Adrian glanced at Shelia, who was still asleep.“What about it?”“Nasa listahan po ng examinees si Mrs. Cross. They wanted to confirm if she informed you.”Adrian’s expression changed.“Elena?”“Yes, sir.”“Send me the registration details.”“I already did.”Tinapos ni Adrian ang tawag at binuksan ang email.Hindi niya alam na nag-apply si Elena.Kailan niya ginawa iyon?Kagabi, kasama ni Doña Celeste sa Crown Galleria ang babae buong hapon. Wala itong sinab

“Bumalik na siya!”Pagpasok ni Shelia sa dorm lounge, agad tumayo si Carrie Cohen mula sa sofa.Kasunod nito, itinaas ni Wendy ang phone niya.“Shelia, look.”Iniabot ni Wendy ang screen.Nandoon ang litrato ni Adrian sa labas ng Aurora School of Finance. Hawak nito ang braso ni Elena habang nakatingin ang mga estudyante sa paligid.Malabo ang kuha, pero malinaw ang mukha ni Adrian.At malinaw din kung sino ang babaeng kasama nito.“She’s the woman from the gate,” Carrie said. “Ang pretty niya.”“Pretty and obviously rich,” dagdag ni Wendy. “The dean and vice dean were escorting her personally.”Shelia took the phone.Sandali siyang natigilan nang makita ang logo ng school sa background.Hindi lang nakita ng roommates niya si Elena.Nakita rin nila ang lugar na matagal nang pinapangarap pasukin ni Shelia.“Isn’t that Adrian’s car?” tanong ni Carrie.Shelia returned the phone. “Yes.”“So, your boyfriend was with her?”“Maybe she was the one who followed him,” sabi ni Wendy. “I heard t