Untying the Rope (Mujer Fuerte Series #1)

Chapter 25 : KENDRA

Nathan and I got home in his condo that day.

We were both exhausted from everything. Pagod na kaming pareho, lalo na ako, sa paulit-ulit na pagkukwento ng nakaraan.

Nakakapagod ulitin dahil bumabalik lang ang sakit.

How can a man as evil as Mateo exist in this world?

Sabagay... puno naman talaga ng kasamaan ang mundo. Mateo deserved here, then.

He bribed his lawyer and the judge was something I would completely understand, but not tolerate. I understand that things like that can happen in real life.

Maiintindihan ko kung talagang purisigido siyang bayaran nang malaking halaga ng pera ang judge para lang mapabasura ang kaso ko, pero ang magkaroon siya ng lakas ng loob na pati ang abogado na dapat ay magtatanggol sa akin ay nabili niya rin, hindi ko na mapapalampas pa iyon.

Sanay na sanay ang demonyo na iyon na bastusin ako kaya wala na talaga siyang pakielam sa nararamdaman ko.

How can my mother love someone like him? He never acted like human. He was all pure evil.

How can an angel like my mother fall for that demon type?

I remember how my mother loved him so much. I remember how she took care of him. I remembered how submissive my mother is when it comes to that asshole.

They got married because of their families' wealth. I knew my mother loved Mateo but I don't think Mateo reciprocated my mother's love for him.

Mommy, wherever you are, I know that you can understand how badly I wanted to make that husband of yours suffer.

He doesn't deserve to live freely.

The idea that he might have other victims other than me causes my stomach to turn.

Nakakasuka.

The way I was locked up in my own room without proper clothes on, because he kept using my body non-stop, he didn't want me to wear anything. The way that he made me starve. The way that he abused me physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I can still vividly remember those ugly and bad memories.

I wanted to forget those in order to heal, but not now that I know that Mateo is still on the loose. Not when I know that he is still capable of causing someone's agony. Not when I know that he can still do the same thing that he did to me towards other girls.

I did not pursue my passion for nothing. I did not go through hell for nothing.

"We'll hire more great lawyers. Don't worry." Nathan gently squeezed my hand as he held it.

Pareho kaming naka-upo sa couch niya sa living room ng condo niya. Magkatabi kami roon.

He doesn't have any helpers here but he hired a person in charge of his whole unit. But since we're both here, there's no need for another person's help in cleaning the whole unit because we can do it ourselves.

"Huwag na. Nakakapagod lang." I glanced at our hands. I intertwined our fingers since he has been holding my hand for quite a while.

With the gentleness of his hold, I felt safe, once again.

"What do you mean by "huwag na"? He must be put in jail, Ken."

"I know. But I can't trust other lawyers to handle my case."

He looked at me and the way he opened both his eyes and mouth widely seems like he already knew what my plans are.

"Don't tell me-"

"Yes, Nate. I am going to do it." I cut him off.

He shook his head. He looked like he is having a hard time.

"It's too dangerous for you, Kendra. Yes, I wanted justice for what happened to you, I wanted it so bad. But I can't risk your safety like this." His voice broke.

Nathan...

I'm sorry... but I am not sorry.

"Let me, Nathan." My voice was filled with conviction. "Ako lang ang kayang magtanggol sa sarili ko. Let me fight for myself."

Nathan shook his head at first but after some moments, he heaved a sigh.

"I'll let you do this, but you have to promise me that you won't put yourself at risk, okay?"

I smiled at him as I nodded.

"I promise."

"Good." He sighed once again.

He placed his arm on my shoulder and he made my head lean on his chest.

"I wasn't there for you to protect you before. But I am here with you right now so I am doing my best in protecting you as much as I can," aniya sa malungkot na boses.

I can feel his heartbeat.

I can also feel mine hammering inside my chest.

"It will always be your safety above everything, Kendra."

We both went silent after that. I didn't talk even though I wanted to. There's so many things that's going through inside my head.

But even if my thoughts were all scattered through my brain, I was certain for one thing.

And that is to fight for myself.

I will fulfill my promise to you, Mommy.

I will fight for myself in a way that I know, no other people can do for me.