His Secret Wife (Completed)

Chapter 13: Stranger

Chapter 13: STRANGER

"Finally!" Ashley exclaimed when she saw me entered her office.

She welcomed me with a hug and a cheek to cheek greeting. She also casually greeted Brendt who came in next to me.

I'm finally back in Manila after five long years of hiding from the truth that I need to face now.

Tumuloy pa rin ako para tapusin na ang dapat na tapusin kahit na hindi panatag ang loob ko sa pagbalik lalo na't kasama namin si Lyrae.

"So... What's your plan?" I asked her with high hopes.

My cousin suddenly became serious like a real lawyer before averting her gaze to Brendt.

"I wish to talk to my client about this... alone, Mr. Stewart," she told Brendt formally.

Kahit labag sa loob ni Brendt, nginitian niya ako bago lumabas ng opisina ni Ashley.

"Bakit kailangan mo pang palabasin si Brendt? Sasabihin ko rin naman sa kanya kung anuman ang mapag-uusapan natin."

"It's because I don't want him to pressure you, Sands."

My forehead creased. "Pressure about what?"

Huminga naman siya ng malalim at tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa swivel chair. Sumandal siya sa kabinet na nasa kanyang likuran at humalukipkip.

"Medyo mas madaling proseso ang naiisip ko kaysa sa pag-file ng panibagong annulment case para maikasal na kayo ni Brendt. Ayoko lang na ipagtulakan ka ni Brendt patungo ng America for his own sake and pleasure."

Lalo namang napakunot ang aking noo sa mga salitang binibitawan niya kay Brendt.

"Bakit niya naman ako ipagtutulakan patungong America?"

Napataas naman ang kilay ni Ashley. "I think you've forgotten something, Sandra," she said at lalo lang akong naging curious.

"Come to think of it! If you really want to be separated from Sean, bakit hindi mo naisip ang paraang 'yon noon pa lang? Gusto mo pa talaga sa mahirap na paraan at maaaring maging dehado ka."

"Can you just spill it out, Ash." I impaciently said.

Napangisi naman ang pinsan ko na para bang lalo niya akong iniinis.

It's imposible that I haven't though about what she's thinking about. I'm true to my words that I want to let go of Sean five years ago. Kaya nga iniwan ko siya kahit na mahirap. At kahit masakit, nagawa kong ipaubaya siya sa iba. "You have dual citizenship, Sandra," she stated and my eyes widened with that realization.

I literally forgot that I have dual citizenship!

"You also have an American citizenship. You can get divorce there even without Sean's permission. It will be somehow hard but easier than the process of annulment here in the Philippines."

Agad kong naisip na magpa-book na ng flight papunta sa America ng mag-sink in sa akin ang mga sinasabi ni Ashley.

"But I strongly suggest if you will get Sean's permission about this, Sandra. It will be much easier, plus... magkakalinawan kayong dalawa kapag nag-usap kayo. He didn't sign the papers for your annulment five years ago, Sandra. Doesn't that action of him affect you or something? And he's the real father of your daughter, for God's sake! Don't deprive him of something he deserves."

"Do you really think that he deserves being a father of my daughter, Ashley?" I coldy asked my cousin.

"To be honest, I supported you when you decided to leave five years ago, but I think you're selfish," she said without hesitation.