Love, Pearl

LOVE, PEARL 6

Note: There are new scenes here in Wattpad and the portrayer is not Minghao na po.

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When I regained consciousness, I was lying on the couch, a cold compress on my forehead. Iyana was hovering over me, worry carved on her face.

Mauricio was pacing nearby, his expression a storm of emotions.

"Pearl, are you okay?" Iyana's voice was soft, and I managed a weak nod. "Dalhin ka namin sa hospital..." she added.

"No... h-hindi na kailangan."

Ramdam ang panghihina at pagkahilo. "A-ano nangyari?"

"Nahimatay ka, bes," sagot ni Iyana. "Buti na lang nasalo ka ni Mauri."

Bigla kong naalala ang nangyari. Si Ciella... Si Mauri...
"Nasaan si Ciella?" tanong ko, nag-aalala.

"Nasa kwarto niya, pinapasok ko muna siya roon,"sagot ni Iyana. "Sigurado ka bang ayos ka lang?"

"I-I'm fine," I whispered, though I didn't feel it. I forced myself to sit up, my eyes meeting Mauricio's.

"Pearl, what's going on?" His voice was gentle, but there was a sharp edge to his words.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding. "Mauri... I-I didn't know how to tell you. Ciella is o-our daughter."

Narinig ko ang pagbuntong hininga niya.

Naramdaman ko ang panginginig ng aking kamay. "Mauri, pwede bang—"

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?" tanong niya, ang boses ay puno ng sakit. "Ilang taon na siya?"

"Mauri, please," bulong ko, "Hindi ko alam kung paano ipapaliwanag..."

"Anong hindi mo alam?" tanong niya, tumataas ang boses at kita kong pumapatak na ang kanyang mga luha.

"Tama na!" sigaw ni Iyana. "Hindi ito ang tamang oras para dito. Kailangan muna magpahinga ni Pearl."

Mauri,

The day you found out about our Ciella, I fainted because I didn't know what to do. I was terrified that you might take her away from me, afraid that you wouldn't accept her, natatakot ako... and I didn't want to hurt Ciella. But Mauri, thank you still for everything. You've been more than I could ask for, even in my fear and confusion. Your strength gave me hope, even when I doubted.

Mahal kita...

Love, Pearl

The room settled into a tense silence, I found myself alone with Mauricio in my bedroom.

Ciella was outside with her Tita Iyana, blissfully unaware of the emotional storm brewing within these walls.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could've been there for you, for her..." His voice broke as tears streamed down his face.

"Mauri... I was scared. I thought you might not accept her or that you'd take her away from me," I confessed, my own tears flowing freely.

"Baby... I would never do that. Even if you told me she wasn't mine, I'd never neglect her," he said, moving closer until he was towering over me.

I sniffed, trying to hold back my sobs. "But what if she really isn't yours?"

"I don't care if it's not biologically possible. She's my daughter in every way that matters. You can't make me give her up, even if it means sacrificing everything I have." His voice was steady. His conviction made me cry even harder.