The Second Bride on the List

Chapter 35

Sarah was sobbing, her body wracking, as if a demon is being purged from her being. Alyssa hugged her cousin, trying to soothe her, rubbing her back, giving her all the warmth that she needs.

Sarah raised her tear-stricken face to Alyssa, and smiled sadly. "Hi-hindi ko pwede ipaalam sa ama, Ly," she stammered, broken, "malaking gulo 'pag nalaman kung sino ang ama."

"Sa, lampas isang taon kang nawala, natiis ko 'yun. Natiis namin 'yun ng wala kaming kasagutan kung tinanong kami ni Tita Eden," Alyssa replied, "Kung sino man ang ama ng anak mo, siguro... Siguro mapapakiusapan natin..."

Then Alyssa stopped. She looked at Sarah. Dread slowly flowing in her veins...

Her phone rang. She picked it up, "A-andito pa. Sige. Antayin mo ako," Alyssa murmured, "Oo, sige. Mga 5 minutes please. Thanks, Thirds."

Sarah's head shoot up. "Si Thi-Thirdy? Ka-kapatid ni K-Kiefer? Andito siya?" there was panic in her voice.

Blood seems to have gone from her face, Alyssa felt faint. "Sinabi mo ba sa kanila na andito ako? Alam ba nila na andito ako?" Sarah was mumbling, panic in her eyes.

"Alam nila, pero hindi sila...," Alyssa was grasping for breath, but Sarah was also in a world on her own. "What does he know? What does he know?" Sarah stood up, walking in circles, mumbling to herself.

"Sarah...," Alyssa was forcing herself to say something. It's as if something inside her is drawing the air around her, trapping it on her lungs, screaming, about to explode. "Sarah," she called out, and Sarah turned to look at her.

"Anak...," she licked her lips, "a-anak ba ni-i Kief-Kiefer s-si Zi-Zitti...?"

Sarah's face fell, tears back in her eyes. She dropped her gaze, and sat on the edge of the bed, fussing over her baby. "Anak, mamaya na tayo uwi...," she tried to smile despite the tears, and the baby just stared at her blankly.

"Sarah...," she whispered, using all the energy that she could muster, "kahit eto lang ang sagutin mo..." She drew a deep breath, but Sarah would not look at her. She reached for Zitti, kissed the baby, and bade her goodbye. "Nasa baba na si Thirdy... I have to go... Baka magtaka na 'yun...," she whispered shakily, trying to trap the sob in her heart.

Sarah just nodded, avoiding her eyes. "Kung... Kung kelangan niyo ng matutuluyan... Kung may problema... Sabihin mo lang sa akin...," Alyssa said shakily, trying to steady her breath, slowly walking out of the door. It was breaking her heart, walking out on Sarah and her niece who she has met. But it seems Sarah is not ready for their reunion. And she's not ready-

"Si Zitti... She's Felicity Therese Ravena."

Alyssa nodded, and walked out of the house.

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"I'm not gonna lie," Kiefer sighed, rubbing Alyssa's arms, "she could be my daughter. We had unprotected sex."

They were seated on the couch by the library, between their rooms. Alyssa narrated what happened when she met up with Sarah, and she was calmer now. But sadder.

Kiefer was seated behind her, and pulled her closer to lean on his chest. "I... I..," he sighed, and wrapped his arms around her, "I don't know what to feel right now. It feels surreal..."

Alyssa sighed, "I know... Pero..."

"Please don't leave me," Kiefer whispered on her hair, kissing her crown, "You are the only one that I have loved this much..."