My Husband's Rival

CHAPTER 1

EIRLYS

Nanginginig ang kamay ko sa narinig. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Ano'ng ginawa ko para pangunahan nila ang buhay ko? Buong buhay ko, naging masunurin akong anak. Bakit nila ginagawa 'to sa 'kin?!

"Eirlys, narinig mo ba ang daddy mo?"

As much as I want to shout, hindi ko tinuloy dahil si Mommy itong kausap ko.

"Y-yes, Mom." Hindi ko na napanatili pa ang ngiti sa mukha ko.

"What can you say about it, Eirlys? Hija, this isn't about merging companies. This is for you. I don't care about other people's assets. I'm doing this for you. I don't want you to end up like what happened to your sister," Dad said, using his gentle voice.

Binalingan ko ng tingin si Ate Eirene. Nangingilid ang luha niya ngunit walang emosyon sa mukha nito. She's also caressing her baby bump.

Walang tatay ang baby nito. Kung meron man, galit kay Ate.

"Eirlys—"

"What the fuck?!"

Parang nabuhayan ako nang marinig ang boses ng kapatid. It was my eldest brother's voice! Hinaharangan pa ito ng mga guard. Of course, because he did something horrible.

He's banned here but still managed to go here to rescue me.

"What are you doing here, Spiro?" Dad asked with his deadliest tone.

"What the fuck is this, Dad? You're arranging Eirlys with someone we don't even know? That's fucking sick!" Kuya shouted.

"You can't just go here to say that this is sick because it was you who was sick, Spiro! How thick is your face to step in my house, huh?!"

"Fuck it, Dad. I know what I've done, but Eirlys is still my sister! I won't let you do what you want. I won't let you give my sister away to someone we don't even freaking know."

"I am not giving your sister away, Spiro! It is for her own good! Can't you see what happened to Eirene after she chose a man who can't even look at her now?!" Dad pointed at Ate.

Mas lalo pang umiyak ang kapatid ko at yumuko. Alam kong nahihiya ito, and I fucking hate it. Why does everyone need to make her feel bad?

"Still not reasonable, Dad. There's no way I'll let you—"

"I'm the father of this house, Spiro. It's not your decision to make." Daddy sent him a death glare before he looked at me. "Anak..."

"Oh, come on, Eirlys!" Kuya shouted. "Don't let them do this!"

"Shut your mouth, Spiro! This is a family matter!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ni Dad.

My brother didn't say any word. Maybe he's shocked... I am too. I know my brother's wrongdoings, but I think Dad crossed the line. Kuya is still part of our family kahit na ano pang kasalanan nito.

Kuya stared at Dad, probably waiting for him to take back what he just said. But Dad didn't say any word either.

Kuya looked away as he walked out.

My heart clenched when I saw him walking away. Maybe he wasn't a good person or a lover, but he's the best brother of mine.

"Dereck—"

"Don't start, Brie," Dad said as he looked at Mom, who's staring at him fiercely. "I won't hide under your skirt this time, Brianna."

"You're crossing the line. Hindi lang kay Spiro kundi pati na rin sa 'kin. And I don't like it," mariing sabi ni Mommy.