Delgado Cousins #3: Kaden Theodore Delgado (Someone You Loved)

CHAPTER VIII: HIDING

CHAPTER VIII: HIDING

AYLA

Months passed, and my relationship with my husband seemed to get better and better each day. It felt like the problems we once had no longer existed, and things between Kaden and me had smoothed out in our married life, unlike before.

"I'm happy with the way things are going between you and your husband now, hija," Mommy said to me.

I smiled at her. "I'm happy too, Mom," I replied, letting out a soft sigh.

Mommy reached for my hand and held it. Today, I had visited her and Dad at our house. "I've been praying for this day to come, hija," she said.

I smiled at her again.

But then she sighed deeply.

"Why, Mom?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Nothing, hija... It's just that, we were actually guilty too..."

"Guilty of what, Mommy?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

She shook her head again. "When we married you off to Kaden... at first, we thought you were okay with it because you agreed to marry him. But later, your dad and I realized that maybe you were just forced into it because of us..."

"Please don't say that, Mommy..." I reached for her hand and held it tightly. We were sitting in her garden, a place she carefully maintained. Earlier, the household staff had brought us snacks while we waited for Daddy to come home from work.

I had also been thinking about how my dad was getting older. One day, he would retire. He didn't have any children besides me, so I would inherit the family business. Even though Kaden had started helping my dad with the business after our marriage, I hadn't worked yet. I had let Kaden handle everything at that time, partly because I was still angry at him. It was a way for me to punish him with endless work for our families...

Mommy sighed. "It's been five years, hija. Your dad and I were just waiting for you to say something. We didn't want to make another mistake by rushing you or pushing you to talk."

"Were you expecting that I'd ask for a divorce?" I asked her, cautiously.

"Uh, well..." She shrugged lightly. "You've been married for five years, and you still haven't had a child. All your husband does is work, and you're busy with your own things. We couldn't ask you about it before because, as I said, we felt guilty."

I let out a sigh of my own. "It's alright, Mom. I understand. Kaden and I... we weren't okay in our marriage before..."

Mommy looked at me with concern after hearing that. I shook my head reassuringly. "It was just a lack of communication on both our parts, Mommy. Kaden busied himself with work, and I kept myself occupied with other things, just like you said. So for five years, nothing really changed in our marriage. We were both still young back then, Mom. But now, it's different. Kaden and I have talked, and we're in agreement about starting a family. We're planning for a baby."

Her eyes widened. "Oh, really? What wonderful news! We're so happy for both of you, hija. I know your dad is happy for you two as well. You know how much he likes Kaden for you."

I smiled at her. "Yes, Mom. But we're still planning, and we haven't conceived yet. We've been trying, though..."

I said it a little awkwardly, but she just smiled warmly.

Then Daddy came home, and I spent a lovely time with my parents. Now that everything felt lighter, I realized how important it was to bond with your loved ones when you're truly at peace.

It was probably because I was so happy these days that one day I found out I was pregnant! Of course, I was overjoyed! I hadn't really expected it, even though Kaden and I had discussed having a baby. We were both in agreement, but it was still a surprise. There was a little nervousness, but it was mainly just pure happiness.

I felt like I couldn't ask for anything more.

The first person I told was Kaden, of course. He's the father of our child, after all. I wanted us to be the first to know. I made dinner at home, and with Manang's help, we cooked all of Kaden's favorite dishes. Over dinner, I planned to tell him.

At first, I had started to feel a few changes in my body. I'm always careful about my health, skincare, and overall well-being. So when something felt off, I could tell. I started noticing strange changes—like scents and tastes that didn't sit right with me. Things I used to like, like certain scents and foods, suddenly seemed off. It was strange and followed by the unmistakable symptoms of morning sickness.

That's when I decided to visit my OB-GYN. She confirmed that I was indeed pregnant.

I smiled when I heard Kaden arrive home. I greeted him with a smile, and he couldn't help but smile back. "Welcome home, Kaden," I said, hugging him affectionately. I loved hugging him now. Every time we were close like this, it felt like I was falling in love with him all over again.

"I made dinner for us," I said, looking up at him as we pulled away from the hug.

"Thank you, hon."

I smiled. "You're welcome!" I held his hand and led him to the dining room, eager to sit down and share our meal... and, of course, to tell him about the baby. I couldn't wait!

"Whoa... Did you cook all this?" he asked, nakatingin siya sa dining table namin ngayon na halos punong-puno ng pagkain.

I got a little too excited while I was preparing the food for tonight's dinner.

I smiled at him. "We have something to celebrate today, honey. This isn't just dinner."

"Oh? Really?" He smiled back, noticing the excitement on my face.

We ate first, and after a while, I finally told him about the pregnancy. I chuckled at the look of shock on his face. "Really?" he asked, still in disbelief.

I nodded. "Yes, Kaden. You're going to be a dad!"

He pulled me into his arms and sat me on his lap. He kissed me gently. "I'm so happy, Ayla..."

I smiled at his words. "I'm so happy too."

He kissed my forehead softly. "I love you..."

I could barely hear him, but I felt it, deep in my chest. We had already confessed our love for each other before. I remembered the time when we had fought, and it was then that everything changed between us.

I smiled and closed my eyes, resting my cheek on his chest. "I... love you too, Kaden..." I could hear the thumping of his heart against my ear, steady and strong.

After that, we shared the good news with my family and Don Antonio. Just as we had hoped, everyone was thrilled for us. They were so happy to hear that they would soon have a grandchild.

"Congratulations!" they all cheered.

Mommy even teared up a little, so happy for me. I smiled at her, feeling grateful for her support.

And for a while, everything felt perfect. I thought nothing could ruin these peaceful, joyful days.

But life doesn't always work out the way we expect. Life isn't always just rainbows and butterflies. Reality has its ups and downs, and you can't get through life without facing pain and heartache.

I never imagined what Kaden was hiding from me. And just when I thought I could trust him completely, that trust would be shattered.

Because just a few months after we celebrated the news of my pregnancy, I would find out the truth that my husband had been hiding something significant from me. He had kept a secret about his ex... and their son.