Gold Ring of Betrayal

Chapter XXX

Chapter XXX - The end of the war

TRISTAN went home after that commotion in Salvatore mansion. Mahapdi ang kaniyang mukha at parang nahihilo pa rin siya. Di nga niya alam kung paano niya nakayanan magdrive pa-uwi. That Kallisto Salvatore punched like a professional boxer! He also saw how Helise cried a lot. That is the first time he saw her that fragile. You see, Helise always has this strong personality na para bang walang makakatibag sa tayog ng pride nito but tonight, he saw the different side of her, bagay na hindi nito pinakita sa kaniya noong mga panahong kasal sila.

He was clearly defeated. This is the battle that he cannot win anymore.  When he saw that pain and concern in her eyes, not for him but for Kallisto. He already knew that Helise is no longer looking at him. Helise was really moving on.

It was hard to accept it but how could he add more salt in her scars?

Pumasok siya ng mansyon, doon nakita niya si Barbara na naghihintay sa kaniya, karga karga nito si Tiffany. Mukhang bumalik din ito kaagad kahit na nagplanong lumayo kanina. She looked at him with concern in her eyes, agarang lumapit ito kaniya.

“Where have you been? Bakit puno ka ng sugat?” nag-aalalang tanong nito pero hindi siya mahawakan dahil karga nito si Tiffany. “pumunta ka kila Helise? Why did you do that? Ginawa ba ito ng asawa niya? We need to report this to the police!”

The whole time she was talking, he was looking at Tiffany. The child that he has been wanting for. He look at his features, then that moment he realize that she didn’t look like him. There was no indication of his family features in that tiny face.

He started doubting if she was his child? He and Helise has been trying for years, how come she didn’t get pregnant that fast?

He frowned. “Let’s talk tomorrow, I’m tired.” he said.

Barbara said a lot of things in annoyance. Hindi naman pinansin iyon ni Trista, at dumiretso siya sa guestroom. He will stay there for a while. He locked the door and he took his heavy steps until the bed. Binagsak niya ang sarili doon. He put his arms to his eyes, then he let out all of the frustration he was feeling right now.

He remembered everything from the start. When he was just playing with Helise, when they were studying together, when he started courting her, when he finally got her yes. Then when they got married and started a life with each other.

He cried. A lot. Knowing the things that he wasted because he gave up into temptations. He cried and cried that night, hoping that tomorrow will be better for him.

He should’ve stay here in Manila. He souldn’t have gotten his eyes in that mango farm. He should have stayed commited in his vows.

For five days, Tristan’s been a mess. Barbara kept on pestering him to do something but he cannot do anything. Limang araw na rin siyang hindi pumapasok sa MHaR. His parents has been calling the mansion to ask for him since then. Pero walang ginawa si Tristan. He was waiting for something and it arrived today.

He looked at the brown envelope at the dining table. He sighed before opening it. Inside the envelope is what he has been expecting.

0.000000% match.

He was right. Tiffany is not his daughter. Kalmadong binaba iyon ni Tristan.

“Oh my god, Tristan! Mabuti naman at lumabas ka na ng guestroom. Nag-aalala na kami sayo!” si Barbara na kapapasok lang sa dining area. “are you okay?” lumapit ito sa kaniya pero natigilan din ng nakita yata kung ano ang nasa harapan niya. “w-what’s that?”

Hindi sumagot si Tristan, sa halip ay nilabas niya ang isa pang brown envelope. Tinapon niya iyon sa mesa.

“Tristan...?” kinuha ni Barbara ang envelope na iyon at saka binuksan. Bigla itong napaupo sa upuan ng mabasa ang laman niyon. “you’re asking for divorce...?”