Rule #3: Changing The Rules

[33]

Chapter 33

I was forced to dine together with the man I hate the most, just because Ardie wanted to. Hindi ko magawang ngumiti kahit kaonti man lang. Gusto ko na siyang palayasin pero mukhang natutuwa pa si Ardie sa kanya.

"Will you stay with us, Daddy?" tuwang-tuwang sabi ni Ardie.

Troy chuckled. "Of course, I'll stay with you and Mommy." sumulyap siya sa akin at ngumisi. "Me and Mommy will get married soon. We'll be a happy family..."

I scoffed. Wow! Just wow? He decided all that by himself? Tingin niya ba papayag pa akong pakasalan ang isang tulad niya? Hell no! Kahit mamatay pa ako rito di na ako makikipagugnayan sa kanya!

Namilog ang mata ni Ardie at tumingin sa akin.

"Is that true, Mommy?" his eyes were looking at me, a mix of confusion on his face.

I glared at Troy.

"Daddy's bluffing, Ardie. He jokes a lot..." Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Troy. Hindi nawala ang ngisi sa mga labi niya.

Ardie nodded and smiled.

Nakipaglaro si Ardie kay Troy, kaya hinayaan ko na muna. Pagkatapos nito, palalayasin ko na siya. He's so thick-faced to even think about coming here! Tingin niya ba mapapatawad ko siya agad ng ganon nalang?

And the fact that our families can't even co-exist with each other. They blocked all our means to get a proper lawyer. At hindi ko alam kung sino nga ba sa kanila ang nagpapadala ng death threats. But if he uses Ardie to get to us, hindi ko talaga siya mapapatawad.

Ardie felt tired and fell asleep with his head on my lap. I gently caressed his hair, as he sleeps with his mouth slightly open. Gusto kong pisilin ang pisngi niya, pero ayoko ring magulo ang mahimbing niyang tulog.

"He doesn't look like you," Troy pointed out while staring at Ardie.

Binigyan ko siya ng masamang tingin.

"He's asleep, leave and don't come back." I coldly told him.

He chuckled and smirked.

"I mean it, when I said that I want to marry you and live with Ardie. He's my son, Emma..."

I scoffed. "He's not your son."

"He is, and you can't hide that from me..."

Napailing ako. Ayokong ilapit pa siya sa anak ko dahil gulo lang ang dala nito. I lived my life peacefully. Bakit kailangan pa niyang makigulo?

"Emma, we can stop all this. Marry me and they won't harm him if you make Ardie a Marchelli. Stop associating your son with a murderer." mahina ngunit mariin niyang sabi.

I couldn't believe a word he says. Ang kapal lang!

"You thick faced jerk. At talagang dito mo pa sinabi 'yan? I won't marry you. We were long done and you messed up! That's on you, Troy. I won't forgive you for what you did to me!"

His jaw clenched. Pinigilan ko ang pagsigaw at sapilitang pagpapalayas sa kanya dahil sa galit ko. Ardie should be spared from this, he's too young.

"They will target you..." he said.

"Then let them! I won't marry you, even if I have to run as far away as possible. Hindi na ako babalik sayo, Troy. You broke my trust!"

I wouldn't forget that until I'm on my deathbed. Kahit pa lumuhod siya dyan at umiyak, hindi ko na siya mapapatawad. My heart has grown cold from everything. Parang wala na talaga akong maramdamang kahit na ano.