Bewitching the Tempter

Chapter 28: Happily

I couldn't believe it at first and I asked for proof. Denver looked so pissed because of that but he also did what I requested. At mas lalo naman akong nasaktan nang ibigay niya sa akin ang gusto ko.

I cried as I looked at the proof in my hands. It's a photograph wherein my man looked so happy with another girl, his ex, in a wedding dress. Sa kabilang kamay ko naman ay ang marriage registration nila, isa pang patunay na kasal na nga siya.

In the end, he also gave up on me. Pero hindi ko naman siya masisisi, deserve naman niya iyon...ang tahimik at masayang buhay. He doesn't deserve to be with a criminal like me.

I want to be happy for him but I just really can't. Masakit sa akin, mahal ko siya e. And I feel sorry for my child, kasi hindi ko na maipapakilala sa kanya ang ama niya. Hindi ko na siya mabibigyan ng kumpletong pamilya.

"Told you already." Denver sighed and seconds later, he wrapped his arms around me. "I'm sorry. I'm here, just let it out."

As if on cue, my tears fell harder.

Days after that, I find it so difficult to continue living. I wasn't on my mind, I couldn't speak, I became mute. My state went on for more than a month until I gave birth.

Akala ko pati si Denver ay susukuan na rin ako. Akala ko iiwan din niya ako. But I'm glad he didn't. He stayed with me, fed me, held my hand, and hugged me whenever I cried.

When I gave birth, he was the one who went with me inside the delivery room.

No'ng unang beses na marinig ang iyak ng aking anak, I felt my energy surging. I had another ray of hope in my life.

Giving birth wasn't easy and going through rehabilitation after that was like hell. I also had postpartum depression which was made worse with the flashbacks regarding what happened to me. But whenever I see my daughter looking at me with her gentle and beautiful eyes, all my doubts and pain seem to dissipate.

Astraea Luna became my inspiration to start my life anew. Nang dahil sa kanya, sinikap kong magpagaling at ayusin ang buhay ko.

I smiled while looking at the healthy baby girl I was carrying.

She's already months old and whenever I look at her, I can't help but feel the connection that I have with Alaric.

I gently touched her chin and she immediately giggled, earning another smile from me.

"Ang ganda-ganda talaga ng baby ko." I uttered and showered her face with kisses.

Agad naman akong napalingon nang makarinig ng pagtikhim sa likod. I smiled when I saw Denver.

"You're home! Gusto mo ba ng coffee?" I asked and put Astraea back in bed.

Agad naman siyang umiling. "Hindi na, I already drank coffee on the way."

Tumango ako. "Okay then, any request for dinner?" I asked again. Because I just really want to help.

It has been months since I left the hospital at simula noon ay dito na ako nakatira sa kanya, in his condo. Sa loob din ng ilang buwang kasama ko siya ay mas lalo ko siyang nakilala.

I guess he's not that bad at all.

Nalaman ko rin na kaya siya napadpad sa Germany ay dahil nirequest siya ng kanyang lolo bago ito namatay. And while he was there, he decided to enroll at a law school. Akala ko nga uuwi na siya ng Pilipinas but whenever I ask him ay iisa lang ang sinasagot niya.

He's still not done here, may mga kailangan pa siyang asikasuhin, including the wealth that he'll be inheriting from his late grandfather.

Funny how I thought na mahirap lang siya noon but it turned out that he's not. He's an heir to a rich and influential family too.