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

Chapter 41

The mistress

"Saan ang punta mo?" Untag sa akin ni Benj habang inaayos ko ang gamit ko.

I didn't look at him, pretending to be busy with what I was doing. Hindi pa rin dumadating si Oliver hanggang ngayon kaya malaya akong umalis kahit kailan ko gusto.

It's just that... I'm not even sure if this is a good idea. Victoria Yuchengco sent me the address earlier for our meeting. I don't even know what we'll be talking about, but one thing's for sure – I need to do this so Mom won't get involved.

Because I know all of this is connected to Mom, especially to Dad.

"Uuwi lang ako sa mansion saglit," I lied.

Ni hindi ko siya matingnan nang diretso dahil alam kong makikita niya ang totoo sa mga mata ko.

"Ikaw na muna ang bahala rito. Don't let Mom leave or go out alone, okay?" I told him, glancing at Mom who was still sleeping beside Dad, who was unconscious.

"Please call me immediately when Dad wakes up."

"You're not really going home, are you? Sino ang kausap mo kanina?" Benj asked in his serious tone.

I bit my lower lip. I can't believe he's so accurate when it comes to his thoughts about me in situations like this. He's good at reading people's minds, especially mine.

"Sa mansion nga..."

"You know you're not a good liar, right? Sino ang tumawag sayo? Si Arik ba?"

Fear instantly gripped my heart when he mentioned Arik. Puwede niyang tawagan ngayon si Arik para sabihin na aalis ako. Ni hindi na ako nakapag-update sa kanya kanina. He's been sending me texts, but I haven't read any of them. This is just messed up.

I sighed and approached mom and dad.

"May kailangan lang akong ayusin, Benj. Just don't leave this room. Uncle Oliver sent additional police and army personnel to guard this entire floor. Ikaw na muna ang bahala rito," I said and left the room.

As I sat in the car, I suddenly snapped out of it. Para akong nabalik sa realidad bigla. Ramdam ko ang pagbalot ng takot sa puso ko nang mga oras na iyon.

Galit ako. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang paglamon ng kakaibang galit sa buong puso ko. Dad's condition is critical, and he's in a coma. His head was injured, as if those who ambushed his car really wanted to kill him.

There were armed men, and a shootout occurred at the scene, but Dad... Something hit his head. He was beaten up with a baseball bat.

Ito rin ang unang beses na nakita kong ganon si mommy. She couldn't speak to us. She seemed so weak, as if her strength was suddenly taken away. Na para bang hindi siya makahinga kapag wala si daddy sa tabi niya.

Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay unti-until silang kinukuha sa akin. And as I watched Mom grieve and blame herself for what happened to Dad, feeling every emotion piercing my heart, I suddenly remembered what Isabella said to me.

We're both grieving and suffering for the same reason.
But even with the tiniest bit of emotion, pity, and pain, I don't feel anything for the father she's talking about.
Am I heartless for that reason?

Inangat ko ang aking tingin sa lugar na hinintuan ko. Tila ba abandonadong bahay ang mga narito, heavy with an eerie atmosphere, and darkness engulfs its interior. It seems like no one lives there anymore.

This is the address Victoria sent me. I keep messaging her that I've been here since earlier, but she hasn't replied.

The entire place resembles an unfinished subdivision. There are hardly any houses, and this is the only structure on the whole land. It's almost as if the trees and tall grass have taken over the entire area.