Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 24

A Daughter's Resentment

"Where did your favorite daughter hear about my child?" I asked him directly as I sat in front of him.

His eyes were piercing my soul. The longer I stared at him, the more intense the image of him became to me, especially since I had a suspicion that he was involved in Mom's abduction and death, just six years ago.

I wondered if he knew that Mom had passed away recently.

"I don't share all the details of my life in public, especially since I left and then returned here," I continued.

He cleared his throat. His forehead creased. He was trying to calm himself, but being in front of me made it difficult for him. Why couldn't he express his bold demeanor?

"Celeste, the truth is, I asked your sister—"

"She's not my sister. Please."

His eyes darkened, as if I had said something wrong.

"I only have two siblings, both brothers," I clarified, referring to Oliver and Benjamin.

"Celeste, mag-usap tayo nang maayos. Hindi masusolusyonan ito kung patuloy kang babalik sa nakaraan," he said in his deep and soft voice.

I felt the fiery anger in my heart ignite. My hands were trembling, and I couldn't calm myself down. Kasasabi ko lang na hindi pa ako handang makaharap siya, ngunit nandito ako ngayon, standing tall and bravely talking to him.

"I'm not bringing it up because I've forgotten about it, Mr. Yuchengco. I'm just stating a fact," I asserted.

It took him a while before he spoke again. It seemed like he was carefully choosing his words, so I kept my gaze fixed on him.

Mabuti na lang ay tulog si Ariah ngayon. I can't imagine her reaction once she sees him again. Kanina pa nga lang ay takot na takot na ito nang makita niya ito sa malayo, what more if he gets close and talks to her?

No. My poor Ariah can't handle that. I won't allow her to see her grandfather.

"Celeste, gusto ko lang makita ang apo ko," he declared, causing my eyes to narrow even more.

I can't even describe the anger I feel towards him. In an instant, memories of how he rejected me when he found out I was pregnant came rushing back.

"Wala kang apo rito, Mr. Yuchengco. You can leave now. I'll have the maids escort you out," I said coldly and stood up, intending to leave.

But my entire body trembled when I heard what he said next.

"Celeste, anak..."

I turned to him fiercely. The anger in my eyes was not enough to express what I was feeling. I felt suffocated! I felt like I was drowning! He's slowly killing me all over again!

"W-what?" I stuttered. "What did you say?"

Mabilis siyang tumayo at unti-until akong nilapitan kaya mabilis akong umatras.

"Celeste..."

"No, please. Stop! What else do you want? Have you forgotten how you discarded me like a stray cat when you found out I was pregnant? O baka naman gusto mo pang ipaalala ko sayo ulit!" My voice thundered, accompanied by the pounding of my heart, as if it wanted to burst out of my chest.

My eyes started to well up with tears, and my body trembled as I struggled to catch my breath.

"Celeste, I told you, gusto ko lang makita ang apo kahit sa huling pagkakataon. Bago man lang ako mawala sa mundong 'to," pagmamakaawa niya.