Living as Palacios (Shadows of the Past) BOOK 2

Chapter 9

Chapter 9- Forgiven

TG: Abused⚠️

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"Tita!" Rebecca run towards Aurora and gave her a tight hug when she arrived inside the mansion. "How was it? Have you settled everything with Kuya Amando?" Rebecca was waiting for an answer but Aurora just gave her a sad smile. "N-no?"

"Give him time." napalingon si Aurora sa kapatid niya na kakapasok lang ng mansion.

"I will." tipid niyang sagot at agad na umakyat papunta ng kwarto niya.

Rebecca and Galvan just watched her as she took a step in the staircase. Matamlay at nanghihina ang katawan ni Aurora hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang makapasok sa kwarto niya.

"I know she had reasons. Why don't we ask her, Tito?"

"Later, Rebecca. Let her rest for now." he tapped Rebecca's shoulder before leaving the mansion.

It was almost lunch but Aurora stayed in her office instead— she was killing herself to work. She wanted to distract herself from the situation she was in. She heard knocks before signaling the person to come in.

"I personally want to give you this." Galvan handed a brown envelop to Aurora. Aurora scan every paper. "You decide for the inheritance of Paco's child."

"Thank you, Kuya." she came back signing the papers. Sabay pa silang napalingon sa pinto nang pumasok si Rebecca at may dalang tray ng pagkain. She awkwardly smiled at them before putting the tray on the table.

"Lunch?" tanong ni Rebecca.

"No, thank you." tanggi ni Aurora at tumayo bago buksan ang isang cabinet at mukhang may hinahanap. "Where the hell is it!"

"Ang alin?" Galvan asked his sister.

"Yung birth ni Paco. I was sure dito ko binalik 'yon." halos magulo na ang mga papel doon. "Gosh!"

"Tita, relax. Baka nahalo lang 'yon sa ibang documents mo." inalalayan ni Rebecca si Aurora maupo sa sofa bago ito painumin ng tubig.

Agad na napatakip ng mukha si Aurora nang magsimula na naman siyang umiyak. She's too tired of pretending that everything's okay.

"You can tell us. I know we fought most of the time, Aurora pero magkapatid tayo, we are family." naupo si Galvan sa tabi ni Aurora. Rebecca did the same at naupo sa kabila.

There was a deafening silent before Aurora had the courage to speak. She played with her fingers while trying to remember what happened years ago.

"It was just a random night. He was drunk, he was mourning over his father's death and I was too young to know..."

"Did he—"

"No, Kuya... hindi niya 'ko pinilit. Alam ko naman na that was the best thing I could give to him dahil ikakasal na 'ko kay Miguel."

She took a deep breath. Her memories was unclear but still tried her best to remember the details. "I thought it wasn't a big deal dahil wala naman siyang naalala after what happened... so akala ko... wala lang 'yon."

"And then what happened after?" tanong ni Galvan.

"I left Amando and married Miguel. That was the most heartbreaking moment for me Kuya. You know of all people kung anong pinagsamahan namin ni Amando."

"But, Tita... how did you know about your pregnancy?"

"A month after the wedding."

Saglit silang natahimik dahil sa dami ng mga tanong na gumugulo sa isipan nila.