In the Shadow of Diamond (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

Hindi ko alam kung sinong paniniwalaan. Manang Hilda told me that Cronus never had a serious relationship, that no woman ever lasted with him. The first thing that came to my mind was his reputation as a womanizer. But hearing that woman's name made my stomach turn.

The way they laughed, as if it was a joke to them, made me feel small and unimportant like I didn't belong in this world they were all part of. Kung sabagay totoo naman, hindi naman talaga ako dapat nandito. Hindi naman talaga ako nararapat dito.

I tried to push off the feeling, to focus on something else, but it was hard. The name, Renae, lingering in my thoughts like an unanswered question.

Who was she? And why did they mention her?

"It's a lot, you know. Cronus's world isn't one that everyone can live in. You seem so... out of place..."

I swallowed hard, my throat tight with emotion. I wanted to tell them that I didn't choose this life, that I wasn't some gold-digging woman trying to latch onto their family's wealth. But I knew better than to give them ammunition. They didn't want explanations, they wanted to watch me squirm.

"Valentina, Margot, anong ginagawa niyo kay Satin?"

Hacintha's voice was calm. She walked toward us.

"What is this?"

Valentina laughed mockingly. "Masama bang kausapin ang asawa ni Cronus? Masiyado ka talagang praning, Hacintha."

Margot crossed her arms, her eyes cold as she watched Hacintha.

"We're just talking, Hacintha. What's the big deal?"

"No," Hacintha said. "This isn't 'just talking. You've been prying and mocking my son's wife, and I won't let it slide."

"Oh, please," Valentina said. "It's not like she's some little flower. We were just giving her a taste of what she's about to face in this family. If she can't take it, then maybe she should rethink her place here—"

"At sino ka para sabihing alamin ang lugar niya rito?"

Nagtangis ang bagang ni Valentina. "Anong sabi mo?!"

Napatayo siya para lumapit kay Hacintha, her eyes narrowing as she glared at her.

"Stop acting like you own everything!"

"I never said I own anything, Valentina. Ang sinasabi ko, alamin mo rin kung anong lugar mo sa bahay na ito!"

Mabilis na sinugod ni Valentina si Hacintha. "Ang kapal ng mukha mo!"

"Valentina!" awat ni Maxima.

"Valentina! Hacintha!" nagulat ako nang sumunod sa likuran niya sina Doña Elizabeth at Don Maximillian.

"Ano na namang kaguluhan ito?"

Natigil si Valentina at pagalit na hinarap ang dalawang matanda bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Hacintha.

"Hindi na kayo nahiya! May bisita tayo," sabi ni Maxima Morfeo sa dalawa.

"Maghiwa-hiwalay na kayo." maawtoridad na utos ni Don Maximillian.

Masamang tiningnan nina Margot at Valentina si Hacintha bago sila nagmartsa paalis. Napapailing sina Don Maximillian at Doña Elizabeth bago nagmartsa rin paalis. Naiwan kaming tatlo nina Hacintha at Maxima.

"Satin, pasensya kana." kalmadong sabi ni Maxima.

I nodded. "A-Ayos lang po,"