TRADING INNOCENCE ✔️

Chapter Twenty Four

    "Raim Alessandro. Riley's husband and the father of her child. And I'm here to take my wife back." He said as he look directly in my eyes. Hindi ako naka-imik sa sinabi niya dahil sa pagkabigla.

Napatingin ako kay Riley pero nanatili itong tahimik habang umiiyak. Parang isang bomba na sumabog sa ulo ko ang narinig ko. Ayaw kong maniwala dahil mahal ako ni Riley at yun lang ang tanging pinaniniwalaan ko. But now that I heard that revelation, there's sudden whisper inside me that tells me to believe this man.

"She was only eighteen when I met her—"

"Raim!" Sigaw ni Riley at mabilis na sinugod ang lalake. She throw punches on him as she scream and shout. Ako naman ay nanatiling nakatayo dito at pinapanood sila.

"Why don't you tell him the truth Riley?" Raim said and catched Riley's hands. Napaatras akong muli nang tignan ako ni Riley.

"M-Mico..."

"I-Is it true?" I asked. She stared at me with her tears falling from her eyes. I wanted to wipe it for her but I couldn't even lift my hand to touch her.

"Mico, let me explain." Sagot nito at doon tumulo ang mga luhang kanina ko pa pinipigilan.

"Y-You didn't tell me about this Riley." I answered. Mabilis kong pinunasan ang mga luhang tumulo mula sa mata ko. Pathetic. You're pathetic, Mico.

"I couldn't tell you my past because I'm scared that you might leave me. Mico, mahal na mahal kita. Please..."

"But you lied, Riley..." I said with my voice full of pain.

"That's right, doctor Montenegro. This woman is a big liar." Singit ni Raim at muling tumawa.

Hindi ako naka-imik. Riley is a married woman? Isa akong kabit ng babaeng may asawa? I wanted to laugh with my own words but I couldn't. The pain in my chest suddenly starts being visible to me and it's starting to hurt so bad.

I promised Riley that I won't leave her no matter what happens. But this is way too much for me. It's so fucking heartbreaking and it feels like she stepped on my pride and ego again and again until there's nothing left to me anymore.

Sobrang sakit pala magmahal. Now I understand what love really means. I understand what pain is when you love someone. Alam ko na ang pakiramdam na magmukhang gago sa harap ng taong mahal mo.

"I-I'm going." I said and started walking away.

"Mico!" Sigaw ni Riley na kinatigil ko sa paglalakad. I bit my lip to stop myself from crying but I couldn't stop my tears from falling, "Mico, wag mo kong iwan..."

"He made his own choice, my wife. You'll come back with me to the US. Don't you miss our son?"

"I don't want to go back with you Raim! Mico, please!" Sigaw ni Riley kaya humarap ako sa kanya. Raim was holding her arm as she tried to pull away from him. Our eyes met and I know she's hurting too. Sino ba dapat ang piliin ko? I love Riley more than anything but should I let myself be broken into pieces until I can't fix myself anymore? Because damn, this is too much pain.

I chuckled to myself and looked up at the sky full of stars. Yeah, love really makes a man stupid. Pag nagmamahal ka, kahit gaano pa kasakit, kahit gaano ka pa mag-mukhang gago, titiisin mo para sa taong mahal mo. At 'yon ang napatunayan ko ngayon sa sarili ko.

I walked towards Riley and pulled her to my side. Raim's shocked expression made me smile. Tumalim ang tingin nito sakin at lalo pang lumiyab ang mata niya sa galit nang yakapin ko si Riley.